The benefits of crying and why it s called black friday the benefits of crying and why it stocks the benefits of crying and why it support the benefits of crying and why it s so hard to leave a narcissist the benefits of crying and tears what are the benefits of crying what are the benefits of magnesium the benefits of yoga the benefits of turmeric the benefits of exercise what are the benefits of cider vinegar what are the benefits of green tea

The Benefits of Crying and Why It's Good for Your Health

The Benefits of Crying and Why It's Good for Your Health

We've all tried to hold back tears at some point. We get embarrassed for our emotions and try to suppress them, especially in front of other people. But there's nothing to be ashamed of -- crying is a natural human activity. More so, crying is actually good for you.

If you're like me, you might cry when you're mad or frustrated, or even when you're happy (if I see one sappy commercial, it's instant waterworks). While it's sometimes viewed as a sign of weakness, crying is a healthy coping method. When you need a release to get rid of stress or calm down, a good cry might be just what the doctor ordered.

We explain exactly why you cry and why it's beneficial for your health to let those tears flow.

How tears work

There are three types of tears -- basal, reflex and emotional. Basal tears are always present in the eye -- those are what lubricate and protect your cornea. They are the barrier between your eye and the outside world. Reflex tears are what flush your eyes of harmful irritants, like smoke or onion fumes. They are mostly water and antibodies that combat infection. Emotional tears respond to heightened emotions of joy, sadness or fear. 

All tears are produced by the lacrimal glands located above each eye. When you blink, basal tears are spread across your eye to protect it. Without your noticing, tears drain into the puncta of the eye -- the tiny holes on the corners of your upper and lower eyelids -- and then drain into the nasolacrimal ducts in the nose. Reflexive and emotional crying produce more tears than your natural drainage system can handle. The puncta are only about the size of a grain of rice. That's why tears overflow and run down your face.  

Emotional tears have several relieving qualities. 

Klaus Vedfelt/DigitalVision/Getty Images

Benefits of crying

The purpose and benefits of emotional tears are an evolving field of study. However, current research shows that proteins and hormones are present in emotional tears, not in basal or reflex tears. This suggests that there are relieving qualities only emotional tears offer. 

It can make you feel better

Crying activates your parasympathetic nervous system, slowing your breathing and heart rate and bringing you relief. When strong emotions come on, crying helps restore you back to your normal balanced state. It's naturally how your body responds. Unfortunately, it's not instant relief -- it takes a few minutes of crying and deep breathing for your heart rate to slow and your body to relax. 

Long periods of crying can also help relieve physical and emotional pain. When you cry, your body releases oxytocin and other endorphins associated with pain relief. Crying is also an important part of the grieving process. Research suggests that it might help you process loss. 

Crying can boost your mood

Crying can also help lift your mood. Unlike reflex and basal tears, emotional tears contain stress hormones as well as the mineral manganese. Manganese is associated with anxiety, irritability and nervousness, so crying is one way to release tension. 

You experience the benefits of crying when you embrace your tears. If you try to hold back and feel shameful about your need to cry, it negatively affects your mood. Trying to keep your emotions and stress inside (that's called repressive coping) is linked to poor immune health, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. 

Crying can actually help to lift your mood.

Fiordaliso/Getty Images

Crying helps you connect with others

Let's be honest: Crying in front of people is uncomfortable. People don't know if they should comfort or sit beside you while you weep. Awkward as it may be, one of the most significant benefits of crying is social connection. 

Crying helps explain to others what you're feeling and experiencing. It allows people to determine how to react and what you need from them. Crying not only strengthens social connections with others, it also increases empathy, closeness and encourages support from family and friends. Tears prompt other people to offer support, ultimately making you feel better. 

Can you cry too much?

You can't cry too much or too little, and there isn't a recommended amount of crying to be healthy. However, certain conditions cause your eyes to produce too many tears, such as blepharitis or epiphora. Or you can produce too few, in the case of dry eye. Our bodies make fewer tears as we age. Dry eye and irritation are common during hormonal changes including pregnancy and menopause. Some medications or cancer treatments can also limit tear production. 

Crying as a response to heightened emotions is completely normal -- and healthy. However, crying may become a problem if it interferes with your ability to function. Crying for seemingly no reason can be a sign of depression. If you think you have signs of anxiety or depression, talk to your doctor. 

Too long, didn't read?

Crying is a completely healthy way to express emotions. While it's generally associated with sadness, crying can be a sign of healing and processing what you're feeling. You feel better after you cry because you've flushed out toxins and stress hormones. Tears are nothing to be ashamed of, and you shouldn't hold them in. Find the space where you feel comfortable embracing your feelings and crying. It's good for you. 

More for your wellness:

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

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The battle for midrange phones is going to get crazier chords the battle for midrange phones is going to get crazier arthur the battle for midrange phones is going to get crazier song the battle for midrange phones is going to the sun the battle for midrange phones is going to disney the battle for midrange phones is going to in spanish the battle for midrange phones is going to rain the battle for midrange phones is going a verb the battle for midrange phones is not ringing the battle for midrange phones ph the battle for wesnoth the battle of algiers

The battle for midrange phones is going to get crazier

The battle for midrange phones is going to get crazier

Samsung did something crazy last October -- it introduced a midrange phone with new features its top-end devices didn't even have. It also threw two massive launch parties for that phone, one in Malaysia and another in Madrid.

The 2018 version of the Samsung Galaxy A7 and A9 weren't new by any means. Samsung's A phones get refreshed every year with newer processors and some trickle-down tech from its Galaxy S series, such as water resistance and always-on AMOLED displays. But this year's phones were completely different. Loaded with four rear cameras, the Galaxy A9 hints at what's to come in next year's flagship Galaxy S10. 

So why has Samsung switched strategies and started making a big deal of its midrange phones? The answer, as always, is simple: China.

With over 208 million low-to-midrange phones shipped in 2017 -- about 49 percent of the total phones market in China -- according to data from analyst firm Gartner, local brands such as Huawei, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi hold 90 percent of China's market share in the first half of 2018. As such, its phone market is a tough one for most to crack.

Samsung had a great start there. It owned 20 percent of the market five years ago. But today, it has just 2 percent, after finding itself priced out of the competition by cheaper and hungrier local Android rivals.

"In China we're struggling, but we know what we have done wrong, and we're putting lots of effort to fix it. We're looking to bring back the Chinese customers' love and loyalty, and I do believe maybe from next year we can see the recovery in China," said Samsung mobile chief DJ Koh.

Samsung Mobile CEO DJ Koh speaking at the Samsung Galaxy A7 and A9 global launch.

Samsung

Koh's new strategy is to target millennials, offering them a big screen and a camera that can post great pictures on social media. The A7 and A9 phones can do all of that without the flagship price tag.

Even as Samsung starts gunning for China, local competitors aren't letting up. Chinese manufacturer Oppo mostly makes midrange phones. It brands them as flagships, adding features such as a Time-of-Flight (TOF) camera and an in-screen fingerprint scanner.

Oppo also plans to release an app to take advantage of the TOF camera features and use its 3D sensors for AR. But at the end of the day, the company believes it will have another thing that will make its phones fly off the shelves.

"Design will make us stand out," said Oppo's overseas market product manager Chuck Wang in an interview with CNET. Wang believes that the company's focus on making beautiful phones will help resonate with its customers.

Design is what makes the Oppo R17 Pro stand out from the competition. 

Juan Garzon / CNET

China's definitely ripe for a shift in market strategy, and Samsung may be able to tap into this with its Galaxy A7 and A9. A key strategy could be looking into higher-quality devices, which is what the A7 and A9 offer, while also trying to get their phones in front of consumers.

Analyst firm Gartner breaks it down even further, classifying what we'd typically call low-end and midrange phones as "basic phones". 208 million of those basic phones were shipped in China last year. The firm estimates that that number will increase to 228 million by 2022, with Huawei, Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi dominating the market with 90 percent share in the first half of 2018.

Gartner attributes these Chinese firms' success to products with superior price performance, better retail strategy in online and shops, while featuring aggressive marketing in traditional and social media channels.

"Chinese mobile phone users are more attached to their devices than their global counterparts, integrating their work [and] personal lives, and they have exceptionally high adoption of mobile payments, online shopping and social apps during their 24/7 digital lives," said Angie Wang, a senior principal analyst at Gartner.

"Future market growth will be driven by upgrades and both product quality and customer experience are key in the eyes of these upgraders. Investing in tight integration of artificial intelligence, hardware and software for delivering customized experience will be key to capturing growth, especially in premium segment."

Taking It to Extremes: Mix insane situations -- erupting volcanoes, nuclear meltdowns, 30-foot waves -- with everyday tech. Here's what happens.

Fight the Power: Take a look at who's transforming the way we think about energy. 

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Amazon under federal investigation house house representative amazon prime crime investigation amazon corporate security investigations investigation specialist amazon interview amazon warehouse under investigation amazon underground amazon underwear amazon underwriting amazon under desk treadmill amazon under cabinet lighting

Amazon Under Investigation by House Committee After Deaths at Warehouse

Amazon Under Investigation by House Committee After Deaths at Warehouse

A congressional committee is investigating Amazon over concerns that the tech giant may be endangering employees by making them work in unsafe conditions during tornadoes and other extreme weather events, says a letter sent this week to company CEO Andy Jassy by the committee.

The inquiry will examine the deaths of six workers last year who were killed when a tornado struck an Amazon warehouse near St. Louis, says the letter from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. As the tornado approached, the letter says, supervisors at the facility reportedly threatened workers and contractors that if they left, they'd be fired or face other consequences.

The investigation will also take a broader view of Amazon's policies.

The situation regarding the tornado "was not an isolated incident," the committee says in its letter. "Amazon workers were reportedly required to stay on the job during deadly wildfires in California in 2018, extreme heat in the Pacific Northwest in Summer 2021, and dangerous flooding during Hurricanes Irma in 2017 and Ida in 2021."

The letter asks Amazon to provide the committee with documents related to the tornado event and to the company's policies around extreme weather situations, including emergency practices and disciplinary and termination policies. The committee wants the documents by April 14.

Amazon didn't immediately respond to CNET's request for comment. A company spokeswoman provided the following statement to The New York Times: "Our focus continues to be on supporting our employees and partners, the families who lost loved ones, the surrounding community and all those affected by the tornadoes. We will respond to this letter in due course." Last year, the company told Bloomberg that federal guidance and proper safety procedures had been followed at the warehouse during the tornado event.

Amazon's labor practices have been subject to increased scrutiny, with the company facing allegations of, among other things, insufficient precautionsaround COVID-19, illegal employee terminations, improper activity around unionization efforts and inadequate bathroom breaks for workers.

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Elden ring 2 secrets to farming runes quickly in spanish elden ring 2 secrets to farming runes quickly lower elden ring 2 secrets to farming runes quickly definition elden ring 2 secrets to farming runescape elden ring 2 secrets to success elden ring 2 secrets of college elden ring 2 secrets the police elden ring 2nd glintstone key elden ring 2 handed weapon elden ring 2 talismans elden ring map

Elden Ring: 2 Secrets to Farming Runes Quickly

Elden Ring: 2 Secrets to Farming Runes Quickly

Luck, skill and runes. To make good progress in Elden Ring, you need all three of these. 

Runes double as currency and experience points in Elden Ring, as they're what you'll use to buy items and upgrade your character. That applies both to leveling up weapons, which also requires Smithing Stones, and traditional character leveling, for which you'll need a vast quantity of runes.

You'll get those runes by killing foes, slaying bosses and selling items. But if you're looking to earn them quickly, there are easy ways to farm them. This article contains two rune farming methods. One is available to you early on, and the second much later in the game. 

The first method I'll describe will net you about 50,000 runes in 15 minutes. The second, which is best suited for post-game rune farming, is dramatically faster. It easily gets you a million runes in 10 minutes. 

The early method: 50,000 runes in 15 minutes

You want to head to the Third Church of Marika, here. 

Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom

To start off, you'll need to head to the Third Church of Marika, which is encircled on the map above. If you've not already found the Site of Grace there, travel to Agheel Lake North, where you were granted Torrent by Melina. Travel on the path, running past everything, including a giant that'll be waiting near the Church. Once you've activated the Site of Grace inside, go around the back and you'll find a transporter by a little cove. 

Follow the light and you'll find a transporter. 

Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom

Here's where the transporter is on the map. 

Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom

Once you go through the transportation portal, you'll be taken to a place called the Bestial Sanctum in a region called Dragonbarrow. Inside the Sanctum is Gurranq, a creature that rewards you for bringing it Deathroots. That's a whole other guide though: What we're interested in here is outside.

Once you look out into the fields, you'll see a giant dragon knight guarding the Sanctum. It's a boss, the Black Blade Kindred. Do not fight it. It will kill you dead.

Instead, walk to the left side of the steps you're standing on and jump into the field. The boss won't notice you unless you're directly in front of it, so just avoid that. Go into the fields, however, and you'll see a bunch of diminutive, statue-looking warriors walking about. These are what you've come for.

They're easy (by Elden Ring standards) to kill at almost any level, since they stagger from being hit. And you can sneak up behind them to perform a critical hit from behind, which will either defeat them straight up or take a chunk off their health. And best of all, killing them grants you a little over 1,000 runes each. 

This is the Black Blade Kindred. Avoid the Black Blade Kindred.

Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom

These little buggers are what you've come for. Killing them gets you over 1,000 runes each. 

Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom

On the left side of the balcony you jump off, all these enemies are walking around alone. The right side is more challenging, since they travel in packs of two or three. If you're a low level, I recommend hanging to the left and picking them off one by one. Either way, you can rack up lots of runes quickly by killing a set, respawning them by traveling to the Site of Grace inside the Bestium Sanctum, and doing it all over again.

End Game rune farming: 1 million in 10 minutes

As you progress through Elden Ring, 50,000 runes in 15 minutes may no longer do the trick. The best method I've found will get you that amount in under a minute, but there are a few prerequisites.

To optimize results, you'll need the Sacred Relic Sword, a weapon that you can only get by beating the final boss. You can do this method with any other weapon, it's just that the Sacred Relic Sword's special move has a huge area of effect that expedites the process. You'll also want a Golden Scarab talisman, which boosts rune acquisition by 20%. 

The area in question is an optional area called Mohgwyn Palace. You can access this area in one of two ways: Go through White-Faced Varre's questline, which you can do by finding him at the Rose Church after you beat Godrick The Grafted, or by finding a portal in the west side of the Mountaintops of the Giants. If you're confused about how to access the western half of the Mountaintops, it involves collecting two halves of the Haligtree Secret Medallion and presenting it at the Grand Lift of Rold. 

I chose the latter method, since I had already unlocked the western side of the Mountaintops. You can find the portal and its location on the map below.

This little number will take you to Mohgwyn Palace.

Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom

Here's where you'll find the teleporter on the map.

Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom

Where the magic happens.

Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom

If you arrive via transporter, you'll find yourself in a little cave. Exit and you'll be greeted to a panoramic view of Mohgwyn Palace, as well as a Site of Grace. This Site of Grace is where you'll be farming your runes.

If you're standing at the Site of Grace and look forward, you'll see a bunch of sleeping ogre creatures. There's about a dozen of them hanging out. If you look to the left, you'll see another area separated from you by a big canyon. Wandering back and forth on the other side of the canyon is a very ugly bird. 

Luckily for us, the bird is an idiot. If you shoot it with an arrow, it will become incensed and run at you. As noted, there is a giant canyon between you and the bird. The bird falls down and dies, giving you about 11,000 runes for little effort. Then, it's time to kill the ogre dudes. This is where the Sacred Relic Sword comes in. It has a special move called Wave of Gold, which will hit almost every enemy in the space. Just by targeting one ogre and hitting L2, I killed a bunch of them and got about 40,000 runes.

You'll see this bird walking back and forth in the area across the canyon. Hit it with an arrow and it will get mad, chase you, fall down the cliff and die, granting you over 10,000 runes.

Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom

Now it's time to turn your attention to these blokes. Killing them all gets you about 25,000 runes. 

Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom

If you have the sword you gain access to after beating the last boss, its special move can kill all of them in one or two hits. That's 25,000 runes in about 10 seconds. 

Bandai Namco/Screenshot by Daniel Van Boom

And that's it! Once everyone's dead and you've harvested those runes, go take a quick rest at the Site of Grace so the enemies repopulate the area. Then do it all over again.

Again, you don't need to use the final boss weapon. It won't take you too long to clear out all the enemies here, especially if you have another weapon with a big area of effect attack. Remember to equip your Golden Scarab talisman, which will boost your ruin acquisition by 20%. All told, you'll get about 60,000 runes per run. Once you get into a good flow, it's easy to farm a million runes in 10 minutes here. 

Spend an hour on this and you'll be the richest Tarnished the Lands Between ever saw.

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New iphone se coming in 2022 apple iphone se 3rd gen 2022 iphone se 2nd gen in 2022 new apple iphone se 3rd generation reuters apple to upgrade iphone se iphone se 3rd generation release apple upgrade program uk apple upgrade program worth it 3 upgrades for existing customers ender 3 v2 upgrades ender 3 v2 printable upgrades ender 3 s1 upgrades

3 Upgrades Apple Gave the iPhone SE in 2022

3 Upgrades Apple Gave the iPhone SE in 2022

An update to the budget iPhone SE arrived at Apple's first event of 2022 on Tuesday, boasting 5G support and the same Apple A15 processor that the 2021 flagship iPhone 13 series uses. These two upgrades are significant, but the iPhone SE 2022 has several other features worth noting.

Aside from minor cosmetic changes, the third generation of the iPhone SE looks identical to the previous model, which launched in 2020. The phone still has a 4.7-inch screen and massive top and bottom bezels. It also keeps the Home button with Touch ID, making it ideal for folks who don't want to use facial recognition to unlock their phones.

Read more: iPhone SE 2022 vs. iPhone SE 2020: Here's How They Measure Up

Read on for the extra features the new iPhone SE brings and what you'll miss by opting for the iPhone SE over pricier iPhones. It's also worth noting that the new budget phone costs $429 (£419, AU$719), a $30 price bump over the last iPhone SE 2020, but the iPhone SE 2022 is still far more affordable than its iPhone 13 siblings.

5G connectivity: Sub-6 yes, mmWave no

The iPhone SE's most exciting new feature is support for faster data speeds through 5G networks. Keep in mind that the iPhone SE doesn't support all kinds of 5G -- it can't connect to the parts of networks that use the speediest mmWave type of 5G, which is mainly found right now in city centers and stadiums. That's fine for most folks, since the iPhone SE can connect to any of the low- and midband frequencies in so-called sub-6 5G, which can download data much faster than what most phones can get from current 4G LTE networks. 

As carriers continue building out their 5G networks in 2022 and beyond, we're still figuring out which the iPhone SE can connect to. For now, we know that the iPhone SE works with C-band frequencies in the 3.7GHz to 3.98GHz range that started going live for US carriers. 

AT&T has confirmed that the iPhone SE will not support the 3.45GHz midband that will be added to its 5G network later this year, which only 2022's best phones can connect to.

Apple/Screenshot by Sarah Tew/CNET

A15 Bionic chipset: Better performance, more iOS updates

First introduced in September with the iPhone 13 range, the A15 Bionic chipset is Apple's most advanced mobile silicon. Beyond 5G connectivity, it grants the iPhone SE a few new tricks. 

The iPhone SE promises to be speedier than most other budget phones and benefit from iOS 15's features. It also should support the same life span of iOS updates as the iPhone 13, which could extend for seven years or more given how long Apple is currently updating its oldest phones.

On the camera front, the new chipset should empower the iPhone SE to take better photos than its predecessors, but only due to computational photography improvements and AI tricks. The new phone has the same cameras as the 2020 model: a single 12-megapixel, an f1.8 rear camera and a 7-megapixel, f2.2 front-facing shooter.

Just don't expect Apple's newest budget phone to be as powerful as its flagships. Even with the same A15 Bionic processor, the iPhone SE's 3GB of RAM should slow down gaming performance and apps compared with the iPhone 13 Pro's 6GB, though we'll have to test the new device to know by how much. Expect a full review soon.

Stronger glass back

The new iPhone SE looks almost unchanged from its last model, but stronger glass has replaced what was on the 2020 iPhone SE, which packed the same older glass as the iPhone 8 that launched in 2017. That should mean more durability for the new iPhone SE's back cover, as Apple used the same glass that's on its iPhone 13 range. 

Though the reinforced glass back is a classy touch, it's unclear if it will change the shape of the new iPhone enough to make it incompatible with existing cases and accessories. Both have the same dimensions, even if the new phone is slightly lighter (144 grams versus 148 grams). 

Read more: Best Apple SE Case for 2022

What's the iPhone SE experience like?

Given the success of its predecessors, the new iPhone SE will almost certainly be a popular phone that sells well, especially for people who prefer Touch ID and the physical home button or just want a cheaper iPhone that's half the price of the iPhone 13.

While we haven't yet fully reviewed the new iPhone SE, it does lack some features and polish. Its lower-resolution LCD display can't render as crisp a picture with as verdant colors as the sharp OLED screens on the iPhone 13 range. And while the new budget phone shares the same chipset, the iPhone 13 has more RAM, more storage and a bigger battery with wireless charging.

The iPhone SE's single rear camera is also outclassed by the additional lenses on the iPhone 13 range, with the iPhone 13 Pro featuring an ultrawide and 12-megapixel 3x optical zoom cameras. Android users pondering a switch to a cheaper iPhone may be disappointed, since budget phones from Samsung and Motorola often have dual or even triple rear cameras.

But the iPhone SE still promises most of the flagship Apple phone experience at an affordable price. If you just want an iOS phone to use a few apps on, watch some shows and take some daylight photos with, the iPhone SE should have the right assortment of essential features for you.

Patrick Holland/CNET

The long-awaited successor to the 2020 iPhone SE was announced by Apple during its March 8 "Peek Performance" event. It features Apple's A15 chip (which is the same one found in the iPhone 13 series), 5G and stronger glass and maintains the same overall design as the previous generation.

Pricing for the new iPhone SE starts at $429 and preorders begin on March 11.

Read our iPhone SE (2022) review.

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2022 zero fxe review here today 2022 zero fxe review here and now 2022 zero fxe electric motorcycle 2022 zero fxe zf7 2 review 2022 zero motorcycles 2022 zero down leases 2022 zero sr 2022 zero percent financing 2022 zero white supra 2022 zero turn mowers

2022 Zero FXE Review: Here For a Good Time, Not a Long Time

2022 Zero FXE Review: Here For a Good Time, Not a Long Time

Choice is good, and when it comes to electrified modes of transportation, we're swimming in great options. That's especially true when it comes to cars, with nearly every major manufacturer now fielding at least one EV option at dealerships, but even in the two-wheeled game, we're flush with choice. Zero Motorcycles alone now offers a whopping eight models, and you're looking at its latest, the FXE. It's a sort of on-road supermoto take on Zero's trail-focused FX, with a completely new look and a fun, engaging ride that stands apart from the company's other offerings.

Let's get the numbers out of the way first. The centrally mounted battery pack offers a max capacity of 7.2 kilowatt hours, but Zero says nominal capacity is more like 6.3. That's paired with a single electric motor, belt-driving the rear wheel with 46 horsepower and 78 pound-feet of torque. That may not sound like a lot of power, but it is a healthy dose of torque, and with the FXE weighing in at just 298 pounds, it's plenty.

OK, 298 pounds isn't particularly lithe for a smaller bike, but it's over 100 pounds lighter than the Zero SR I reviewed a few years back and more than 200 less than the Zero SR/S we reviewed in 2020. It's even lighter than something like a Husqvarna Svartpilen.

But that weight comes with a penalty: range. Zero says the FXE can get up to 100 miles in the city, with highway ratings dropping to 60 miles at 55 mph or just 40 miles at 70 mph. In my testing, I have to say those figures seem awfully optimistic. In fact, the bike would often show me just 40-odd miles of estimated range, even at a full charge, even when I was in Eco mode. That figure was usually pretty accurate. 

It's not going to be your go-to bike for long weekend getaways, but what range it offers is a real joy.  

Like all the Zeros, the FXE has all sorts of torque available right off the line, which makes zipping around an addictive experience. In the quicker Sport mode, which sharpens up the throttle response, the FXE is an absolute blast. Use that torque, though, and the range drops precipitously. In Eco mode, just cruising around town, I struggled to ever get more than 50 miles from a charge. That's barely enough to cover the average US daily commute of 41 miles.

So it's not going to be your go-to bike for long weekend getaways, but what range it offers is a real joy. The relatively small, 17-inch wheels and Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires give the bike quick reflexes, diving into corners with just a little nudge on the outside grip. But it isn't nervous. In fact, it's a confidence-inspiring bike. 

That's especially true when accelerating away from traffic lights or, indeed, just accelerating in traffic. The torque will stretch out your arms at full power yet it's remarkably easy to creep along at a walking pace thanks to a perfectly tuned throttle curve. After just a few minutes in the saddle of this thing you'll feel like you're ready to enter a MotoTrials competition. 

The frosted silver with red highlights offers a clean, modern take on how a motorcycle should look.

Tim Stevens/CNET

Augmenting the power is a set of 320-millimeter brake discs up front and a single 240-millimeter disc at the rear from J. Juan, paired with a Bosch antilock braking system front and rear. A Showa suspension at both ends is adjustable for preload, compression and rebound. I found the stock setup a little stiff for me, the Zero FXE taking every bump too firmly up front, but with the help of a flathead screwdriver and a few minutes fiddling I was able to quickly dial it in to my liking.

In fact, just about everything to do with this bike was to my liking, including the new styling with the duck-bill front fender and the frosted gray hue paired with red highlights. Even charging is as easy as can be: Just run an extension cord into the three-prong receptacle found just behind the front forks. That'll take about 9 hours to full from empty, but the $640 optional quick charger could bring that time down closer to two hours.

I just wish I didn't have to rely on that charging quite so often. Still, Zero's bikes just keep getting better, and the FXE's $12,195 manufacturer suggested retail price is palatable. Yeah, that's a healthy premium over a comparable gas-powered ride, but then this experience feels premium, too.

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Hp envy sleekbook 6 review hp envy sleekbook 6 1129wm hp envy sleekbook 6 review hp envy sleekbook 6 1010us hp envy sleekbook 6 review hp envy sleekbook m6 k012dx hp envy sleekbook 6 review hp envy sleekbook 6 1129wm hp envy sleekbook 6 review hp envy sleekbook 6 1131nr hp envy sleekbook 14 hp envy sleekbook 6 1010us hp envy 6055e

HP Envy Sleekbook 6 review: HP Envy Sleekbook 6

HP Envy Sleekbook 6 review: HP Envy Sleekbook 6

When is an ultrabook not an ultrabook? This new addition to the HP Envy line asks that very question, with two nearly identical models. One thin 15-inch HP Envy has an Intel Ivy Bridge CPU and is called an ultrabook, while this specific model, the 15-inch HP Envy 6 Sleekbook (the 6-1010us, specifically) is instead called a sleekbook, because it has an AMD CPU and a handful of other component differences.

The look and feel are very similar, and this is one of the thinnest 15-inch laptops you can find, in either the sleekbook or ultrabook versions. In fact, the AMD model reviewed here might even have an edge over the Intel one, because it costs just $599, versus a minimum of $799 for the HP Envy 15-inch with the official ultrabook tag.

You'll trade some performance for the cost savings, and AMD's latest chip family (the company calls it an APU rather than a CPU, which is an Accelerated Processing Unit, combining a CPU and GPU in one package) still don't measure up to Intel's third-generation Core i-series processors in power or efficiency. But, battery life was better than expected and the AMD A6 inside is more than capable of handling everyday online tasks.

Let's be honest. The "sleekbook" name is, to be generous, inelegant. Why not call it a skinnybook? Or a slimtop? Maybe those names didn't focus group test as well. Frankly, the term "ultrabook" has not exactly taken the world by storm, so I don't see a real reason to ape it. It's a needless distraction, or at least confusing to shoppers.

But don't let the awkward name put you off. This is one of the best-looking midsize laptops I've ever seen for $599. If you're shopping for that Intel name brand, or high power for gaming (or a high-res screen), this isn't for you, but for mainstream appeal at a budget price, it's a top contender.

Price as reviewed	$599
Processor	2.1GHz AMD A6-4455M APU
Memory	4GB, 667MHz DDR3
Hard drive	500GB 5,400rpm
Chipset	AMD 1410h
Graphics	AMD Radeon HD 7500G
Operating System	Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Dimensions (WD)	14.7 x 10 inches
Height	0.78 inches
Screen size (diagonal)	15.6 inches
System weight / Weight with AC adapter	4.6/5.4 pounds
Category	Midsize

HP's Envy family has always (since its 2009 introduction, anyway) been the company's high-end line, with superior design, construction, and materials. I've previously compared them, loosely, with the MacBook Pro or Dell's XPS line, and most HP Envy models have gotten excellent reviews.

This new line, both the AMD and Intel models, take a serious risk by dropping the price and some of the high-end features. While it's great to see a $599 laptop with a brushed-metal look, Beats Audio sound, and a body that's 0.78 inch thick, it also potentially dilutes the Envy brand, which has been a rare high-end success story, refuting the idea that only Apple can sell an expensive laptop.

But, on the positive side, you get a very nicely designed laptop for the same price you might normally pay for a thick, plastic box. This configuration is nearly all black, with a brushed-metal lid and wrist rest, offset by a deep red/burgundy bottom panel. I showed the system off to several people, asking each one how much they thought it cost, and everyone was (pleasantly) surprised by the price.

That said, there are a few physical flaws. The long center hinge is anchored on the inside only, making the screen feel a bit wobbly. The hinge also creaked a bit, especially when holding the laptop in the air while opening or closing it. The metal finish is especially susceptible to fingerprints and smudges. Maybe an antismudge coating was one of the corners cut to keep the price down.

The keyboard and touch pad are very similar to what the other new HP Envy laptops offer. The island-style keyboard had a little flex in the center when typing, but that's typical of budget laptops. A bigger problem is that the keyboard is not backlit, and with black keys against a black keyboard tray, it can be hard to see in even moderately dim lighting conditions. This exact model is a fixed-configuration system, but HP also offers a configurable version (called the Sleekbook 6z-1000, with a silver interior, rather than black) that has a $25 backlit keyboard option.

The touch pad looks like the one on the new high-end Envy Spectre XT; both have a touch pad surrounded by an indented, slightly sunken perimeter. It's a cool look, but I'm not sure what practical impact it has, other than to help differentiate the touch-pad surface from the rest of the wrist rest.

The display has a 1,366x768-pixel native resolution, which is standard for budget or mainstream midsize laptops (and nearly all smaller ones). There's not much more you can ask for at $599, but that 1,366x768-pixel res is definitely starting to look dated on bigger 15-inch displays.

Despite the presence of a Beats Audio subsystem, which gives you an onscreen control panel for tweaking the sound, the built-in speakers are predictably wimpy. The Beats software did allow for a greater range of audio flexibility through headphones, however.

	HP Envy Sleekbook 6-1010us	Average for category [midsize]
Video	HDMI	VGA plus HDMI or DisplayPort
Audio	Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks	Stereo speakers, headphone/microphone jacks
Data	2 USB 3.0, SD card reader	2 USB 2.0, 2 USB 3.0, SD card reader, eSATA
Networking	Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	Ethernet, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, optional mobile broadband
Optical drive	None	DVD burner

It's always interesting to see what corners get cut in a budget laptop. In this case, the trade-offs seem smart, with the standard VGA video output getting dropped, but USB 3.0 and Bluetooth staying. It's sometimes hard to fit an Ethernet jack into a slim laptop, and the jack here is the type with a little folding door to fit a Cat5 cable, as seen occasionally on ultraportable laptops.

The big question mark here is the AMD A6 processor. Is it worth giving up that familiar Intel sticker to save a few hundred dollars? It doesn't help that the latest generation of Intel Ivy Bridge processors is excellent, with better performance and power efficiency than even last year's Sandy Bridge models.

From our benchmark results, it's clear the A6 isn't as fast as Intel's mainstream Core i5 CPU, especially when it comes to multitasking. To be fair, AMD isn't claiming that it is a direct performance match. That said, you should think about what type of tasks you use a laptop for. If it's the same as the vast majority of users, that's surfing the Web, e-mail, social networking, and streaming online video.

In anecdotal hands-on use, this laptop, despite the slower processor, is perfectly fine for any of that, even with a standard 5,400rpm hard drive instead of an SSD, and with 4GB of 667Mhz RAM. The fact is, most laptops are very overpowered, considering the relatively simple things we ask them to do.

AMD's A6 is a combination of a CPU and GPU (the company calls it an APU, a bit of made-up marketing speak). The AMD Radeon HD 7500G isn't the same as getting a high-end discrete Nvidia (or even AMD) card, but it's better than traditional integrated graphics. In our Street Fighter IV test, at 1,366x768 resolution, we got a fair 26.7 frames per second. Depending on what you're playing, it's similar to moderately better than Intel's current-gen HD 4000 integrated graphics. Fine for casual gaming, but you'll have to keep the settings turned down for most current A-list games.

Going in, I was a little concerned about the potential battery life on this laptop, as AMD systems have traditionally not been as strong in this area as their Intel counterparts. But, this latest generation of A-series CPUs seems to have made some improvements in this area. The HP Envy 6-1010us ran for 5 hours and 41 minutes on our video playback battery drain test, which is very impressive for a 15-inch midsize laptop.

HP includes a one-year parts-and-labor warranty (although I've seen other, more expensive, Envy laptops start with a two-year plan). Warranty upgrades are confusing, with discounts that don't show up until you've added a specific plan and laptop to your shopping cart. I was able to add a three-year extended warranty, including on-site service and accidental damage protection, for $230, after an arbitrary $99 "discount."

HP's service and support tools are perfectly navigable, and product manuals and software and driver downloads were easy to find. The 24-7 toll-free number can be tricky to spot, however. It's 800-474-6836.

The HP Envy 6-1010us is best described as a pleasant surprise. Would it be a great $899 laptop? Not really, but for $599, it's a great midsize laptop for those willing to trade a little performance for some sharp looks.

System configurations:

HP Envy 6-1010US
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) w/ SP1; 1.4GHz AMD A6-4455MM APU; 4GB DDR3 SDRAM 667MHz; 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 7500G; 500GB Hitachi 5,400rpm

Toshiba Satellite P755D-S5172
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) w/ SP1; 1.4GHz AMD Quad-Core A8-3520M APU; 6GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz; 512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 6620G; 640GB Toshiba 5,400rpm

Gateway NV55S05u
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) w/ SP1; 1.5GHz AMD Quad-Core A8-3500M APU; 6GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz; 512MB AMD Mobility Radeon HD 6620G; 640GB Toshiba 5,400rpm

Samsung Series 9 NP900X4B-A02
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) w/ SP1; 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-2467M; 4GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz; 64MB (Shared) Intel HD 3000; 128GB Samsung Solid State Drive

Acer Aspire Timeline Ultra M3-581TG
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) w/ SP1; 1.7GHz Intel Core i7 2637M; 4GB DDR3 SDRAM 1333MHz; 1GB NVIDIA's GeForce GT 640M / 128MB (Dedicated) Intel HD 3000; 256GB LITEONIT Solid State Drive

Find out more about how we test laptops.

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