Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations

The new sleek and coherent design of Office 2021. (Source: Microsoft)

Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 release on October 5 with updated features and pricing

Microsoft is preparing Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 for release on October 5 on Windows and macOS devices for business, personal and student customers. Office 2021 will inherit many of the existing components from Microsoft 365 s...

Aleem Ali, 04 Oct 2021 14:59

The Surface Pro X successor could use an Arm chip developed by Microsoft and AMD

Microsoft and AMD are reportedly developing an Arm processor for laptops

A new rumour from South Korea suggests that Microsoft and AMD are developing an Arm processor for laptops. It will use Cortex-X1 CPU cores, an AMD mRDNA2 GPU with 8CUs, and an Exynos 5G modem. The mystery SoC will be fabbed on TSM...

Anil Ganti, 01 Oct 2021 18:01

5 models shipping with pre-installed Windows 11 and MS Office under $900. (Image Source: Lenovo)

Lenovo reveals pricing and discounts for its first Windows 11 laptops selling in China

The new Windows 11 roster includes three Xiaoxin Air 14 Plus SKUs and another three Xiaoxin Pro 14 SKUs with a mix of Intel Tiger Lake and AMD Ryzen 5000 U/H processors, plus a new Yoga 13s model that is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 ...

Bogdan Solca, 30 Sep 2021 21:22

The WF-C500s in one of their new colors. (Source: Sony)

The WF-C500s are Sony's latest wireless earbuds with 360 Reality Audio and up to 20 hours of battery life

Sony has announced the WF-C500 as its latest affordable wireless earbuds. They feature many of the OEM's audio-enhancement properties and technologies, although active noise cancellation (ANC) is not among them. However, the new a...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 30 Sep 2021 18:19

The new WH-XB910N headphones. (Source: Sony)

The Sony WH-XB910N headphones are the latest peripherals with EXTRA BASS

The WH-XB910Ns are the latest wireless headphones from the audio giant Sony. They are also the newest accessories to bear the brand's EXTRA BASS trademark, rated for what it says on the tin. The new over-ears are also equipped wit...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 30 Sep 2021 17:27

Honor launches the MagicBook V 14 alongside the 16 and 16 Pro

Honor has made good on some earlier teasers with a launch for the new MagicBook 16 series, with an up-to-date Ryzen 7 platform and 144Hz displays. They have been joined with a less expected variant: the V 14. It will now join the ...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 27 Sep 2021 16:43

Lenovo is releasing a range of Windows 11 laptops in China on September 28. (Image source: Lenovo - edited)

Lenovo prepares to launch five new Windows 11 laptops in China with Ryzen and Core options for Yoga and Xiaoxin SKUs

Lenovo has revealed its plans to launch five new laptops for the Chinese market on September 28. The notebooks will operate on Windows 11 and there will be a choice between AMD Ryzen and Intel Core processors for buyers. Four of t...

Daniel R Deakin, 27 Sep 2021 12:51

The Surface Laptop Studio is only available in North America this year. (Image source: Microsoft)

Surface Laptop Studio hands-on pictures pit Microsoft's latest laptop against the Surface Book 3

The Surface Laptop Studio looks portly, with its recessed underside protruding from what would have been a thin 14.4-inch laptop. However, hands-on pictures have set the record straight by confirming that the Surface Laptop Studio...

Alex Alderson, 23 Sep 2021 18:47

The SP+ Wireless Keyboard. (Source: Brydge)

Brydge announces its latest Stone Pro Thunderbolt 4 dock alongside the SP+ Surface Pro 8 keyboard

Brydge is a well-known name in third-party keyboard docks for high-end tablets. As such, one of its latest products is for the freshly-launched Surface Pro 8. Alternatively, the new Stone Pro TB4 is compatible with it and any othe...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 23 Sep 2021 17:20

The Surface Go 3 is not all that cheap if you want the configuration that Microsoft markets. (Image source: Microsoft)

Microsoft Surface Go 3: Entry-level model may cost US$399.99, but the only Core i3 configuration costs almost US$800 with a Type Cover and Surface Pen factored in

Microsoft has refreshed the Surface Go with a third-generation model. The Surface Go 3 is a Surface Go 2 in all but name though, unless you purchase the US$679.99 version with a Core i3-10100Y processor. The price quickly rises to...

Alex Alderson, 23 Sep 2021 15:36

The Surface Pro 8 looks like the Surface Pro X, but with considerably better hardware. (Image source: Microsoft)

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 revealed with a new design, a 120 Hz display and Thunderbolt 4 support

Microsoft has unveiled the Surface Pro 8, a much thinner and higher specification model than the Surface Pro 7. The Surface Pro 8 has a 13-inch display, a 120 Hz display, Thunderbolt 4 support and Tiger Lake processors.

Alex Alderson, 22 Sep 2021 23:56

The Surface Laptop Studio is a huge leap from the Surface Book series in many areas. (Image source: Microsoft)

Surface Laptop Studio: A 120 Hz and Tiger Lake-H35 leap from the Surface Book series, but only North America will receive it before 'early 2022'

The Surface Laptop Studio is Microsoft's most exciting device in years, with a radically different design and a 120 Hz display. The 14.4-inch machine includes Tiger Lake-H35 processors too, but most people must wait until 'early 2...

Alex Alderson, 22 Sep 2021 21:45

The Nokia McLaren is finally available to purchase, albeit as a prototype. (Image source: eBay)

The Nokia McLaren has turned up on eBay for US$899

The Nokia McLaren may have never launched, but someone is selling a prototype on eBay for US$899. The working prototype is fully functional and is an example of Nokia's revolutionary 3D touch hover system, which no smartphone has ...

Alex Alderson, 22 Sep 2021 17:43

The Lenovo ThinkPad P14s G2 AMD finally offers similar features as the Intel model - almost

The story of AMD CPUs in Lenovo's ThinkPad laptops is a story of inequality. AMD systems were disadvantaged from the beginning, particularly in the displays. Finally Lenovo has remedied this disparity, so there's not much missing ...

Benjamin Herzig, 21 Sep 2021 21:01

The new PC Health Check app is more detailed than the original version. (Image source: NotebookCheck)

Microsoft appears to drop the display element of its Windows 11 requirements with new PC Health Check app

Microsoft has re-released the PC Health Check app, allowing people to check if their machines meet Windows 11 requirements. It appears as though Microsoft has dropped the requirement to have a 9-inch or larger display though, open...

Alex Alderson, 21 Sep 2021 19:24

The HP Envy 34 inch All-in-One Desktop PC contains a Core i9 processor and an RTX 3080 GPU. (Image source: HP)

HP Envy 34 inch All-in-One Desktop PC presented with an Intel Core i9 desktop processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU

HP has revealed a new All-in-One Desktop PC, the HP Envy 34. Not only does the machine feature a 21:9 and 2,160p display, but it also has an Intel Core i9 desktop processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 GPU. The Envy 34 inch All-...

Alex Alderson, 21 Sep 2021 18:29

Is the Yoga 16s 2022 coming soon? (Source: Lenovo via SparrowsNews)

Lenovo teases a possibly imminent launch for the Yoga 16s 2022

Lenovo has released a new teaser for a laptop it calls the Yoga 16s 2022. The OEM does not say much more about the device, besides to hint that it might be ideal for creators. However, it is apparent from its new trailer that it r...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 21 Sep 2021 18:05

The GPD Pocket 3 will sport a modular design. (Image source: GPD)

GPD teases the Pocket 3 with a modular design

GPD has started teasing its next compact laptop, the Pocket 3. The machine features some strange design decisions, including a trackpad that cuts into the keyboard area. The Pocket 3 will have a modular design, however.

Alex Alderson, 21 Sep 2021 17:01

Microsoft Office can still be purchased, rather than requiring an annual subscription. (Image source: Microsoft)

Microsoft Office 2021 will launch alongside Windows 11, and without a subscription

Microsoft has announced that Office 2021 will be released at the same time as Windows 11, and not just for its latest operating system. Office 2021 will be available without needing to pay a monthly subscription, too.

Alex Alderson, 20 Sep 2021 21:21

Microsoft will not be repurposing the Surface Pro X design for the Surface Pro 8. (Image source: @Shadow_Leak)

Surface Pro 8 leaked specifications include a 120 Hz display, Thunderbolt 4 ports and a US$799 starting price

According to a leak, Microsoft has settled on a US$799 starting price for the Surface Pro 8. Supposedly, a Chinese retailer has leaked numerous Surface Pro 8 details too, including a 13-inch display, a 120 Hz refresh rate and the ...

Alex Alderson, 20 Sep 2021 14:41

Is this the new Surface Go? (Source: Winfuture)

Surface Go 3: a new leak purports to reveal nearly every aspect of the upcoming Microsoft 2-in-1

Microsoft is projected to have a third-gen Surface Go ready for launch. This putative 2-in-1 has now leaked again, with virtually complete specs and a full set of renders this time. They paint the device as a very iterative update...

Deirdre O'Donnell, 19 Sep 2021 18:00

Android app support in Windows 11 is being internally tested for a future build. (Image Source: Microsoft)

Early Windows 11 Android subsystem benchmarks show performance equivalent to Snapdragon 865 on ARM hardware, single-core ARM to x86 Bridge scores not very encouraging

Microsoft could be internally testing the Windows Subsystem for Android on a variety of x86 and ARM hardware as evidenced by new Geekbench entries. The ARM results show scores equivalent to that of a Snapdragon 865 while we see so...

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 19 Sep 2021 17:15

The MSI Creator Z16 Hiroshi Fujiwara Limited Edition features AUO's AmLED display. (Image source: MSI)

MSI Creator Z16 limited edition model unveiled with a 165 Hz and mini LED display

MSI has unveiled a limited version of the Creator Z16 in collaboration with Hiroshi Fujiwara. The Creator Z16 Hiroshi Fujiwara Limited Edition features an AUO AmLED display that delivers mini LED backlights, a peak 1,000 nit brigh...

Alex Alderson, 17 Sep 2021 23:18

Microsoft continues to push TPM 2.0 as a requirement for Windows 11. (Image source: Microsoft)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22000.194 blocks Virtual Machines that lack TPM 2.0

Microsoft has pushed a new change to Windows 11 with Insider Preview Build 22000.194, available to machines on the Beta channel. The change requires that all Virtual Machines require TPM 2.0 to function at all, bringing them in li...

Alex Alderson, 17 Sep 2021 18:52

There are 579 password attacks every second according to Microsoft. (Image: Microsoft)

Microsoft starts new login rollout for users with the option to ditch account passwords altogether

Microsoft has commenced rolling out its new passwordless accounts feature. Over the coming weeks, users will be able to sign in using its Authenticator app which also dramatically increases user account security.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 16 Sep 2021 12:36

Vivaldi 4.2 in-browser private translation in action (Source: Vivaldi Browser)

Vivaldi 4.2 now available with Neeva search support, scrollable web panel buttons, Vivaldi Translate improvements, and more

Available for both desktop and mobile users, Vivaldi 4.2 includes a few interesting new features and improvements, such as the ability to translate text on a web page privately, URL sharing via QR codes, scrollable web panel butto...

Codrut Nistor, 16 Sep 2021 10:17

Microsoft has rolled out a new Tips app for Windows 11. (Image source: Microsoft)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Program: No Beta channel build today, Dev channel build has more known issues than fixes

Microsoft has released another Windows 11 Insider Preview Build as it works towards next year's stable update. Insider Preview Build 22458 contains more bugs than it does fixes and no real new features. There is no new build for B...

Alex Alderson, 15 Sep 2021 23:34

Honor has refreshed the MagicBook 14 and MagicBook 15 with Ryzen 5 5500U APUs. (Image source: Honor)

Honor MagicBook 14 and MagicBook 15 refreshed with AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processors

Honor has unveiled refreshed versions of the MagicBook 14 and MagicBook 15, two relatively inexpensive laptops. The MagicBook 14 and MagicBook 15 retain the designs of their predecessors but gain AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processors. Both...

Alex Alderson, 15 Sep 2021 17:21

Lenovo's Gaming Laptop Legion 5 15 G6 convinces with Ryzen CPU and the fastest RTX 3060

Thanks to the combination of the AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and the very powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, Lenovo's Legion 5 15 offers plenty of performance. Gamers will also appreciate the responsive 165 Hz display and multi-zone keyboard i...

Andreas Osthoff, 15 Sep 2021 00:08

The C3K2010 could be any number of upcoming Surface devices due this month. (Image source: Microsoft)

Microsoft certifies new Surface hardware with the FCC ahead of September 22 event

Microsoft has certified new Surface hardware with the FCC before its September 22 launch event. The company is expected to unveil everything from a new Surface Book to a new Surface Pro, along with a Surface Duo 2 for good measure...

Alex Alderson, 14 Sep 2021 20:14

The iMac 24-inch is unlikely ever to receive Windows 11 support. (Image source: Jay Wennington)

Windows 11 will remain an 'unsupported scenario' on Apple Silicon hardware

Windows 11 will ship on October 5, but support is not forthcoming for Apple Silicon hardware. Instead, Microsoft treats Apple M1 devices as an 'unsupported scenario' both for Boot Camp and Parallels.

Alex Alderson, 14 Sep 2021 11:54

This month's Surface hardware event is expected to be a big one. (Image source: Microsoft)

Microsoft tipped to unveil five Surface products on September 22 with high refresh rate displays and Thunderbolt ports inbound

Microsoft's September 22 event is expected to be packed with new Surface hardware, from the Surface Book 4, to the Surface Duo 2 and the Surface Go 3. Reportedly, a new Surface Pro X and a Surface Pro 8 are arriving, too.

Alex Alderson, 13 Sep 2021 23:56

Also available with other display alternatives: The MSI GE76 Raider 11UH

MSI GE76 Raider 11UH: Gaming laptop receives subtle improvements

Instead of just equipping the GE 76 Raider 11UH with a new CPU, MSI has also introduced small innovations that aren't immediately noticeable.

Mike Wobker, 11 Sep 2021 06:45

Windows 11 21H2 will ship on October 5. (Image source: Microsoft)

Windows 11 21H2 takes a step closer to release as Microsoft starts fleshing out next year's update

With Windows 11's shipping date right around the corner, Microsoft has turned its attention to next year's update. The company still has time to push out another Windows 11 21H2 build though, even if it only addresses two bugs fro...

Alex Alderson, 09 Sep 2021 23:33

Apps will feel very snappy even when the CPU is under heavy stress. (Image Source: Microsoft)

Microsoft highlights the performance improvements that will make Windows 11 super responsive

Some of the new improvements include better CPU and RAM prioritisation for foreground apps that can also lead to expanded battery life on laptops, faster resume from sleep mode, reduced storage footprint with non-critical apps tha...

Bogdan Solca, 09 Sep 2021 20:18

The new LG Gram 17: a high performance-to-weight ratio but too flexible

The new LG Gram 17: a high performance but too flexible

The LG Gram series stands for extreme light weight that you look for to no avail from other laptop manufacturers. At the same time, the new 17Z90P is still very well equipped for everyday tasks. However, the low weight also comes ...

Marc Herter, 08 Sep 2021 23:33

Comes with a matte touchscreen and a replaceable battery: The Fujitsu LifeBook U7311

Fujitsu LifeBook U7311: The classic notebook

In addition to Thunderbolt 4 ports, the Fujitsu LifeBook U7311 also has a VGA port. However, the wide selection of ports is not the only thing that makes the Fujitsu laptop worthwhile.

Mike Wobker, 07 Sep 2021 23:04

Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16ACH with Ryzen 5000: Mid-range laptop almost reaches high-end level

High-end laptops are often exciting, innovative, and high-quality. However, not many users are willing to spend several thousand Euros for a laptop. This makes upper mid-range laptops like the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro 16ACH interestin...

Benjamin Herzig, 07 Sep 2021 22:29

The HeroBook Air is small, but also underpowered. (Image source: Chuwi)

Chuwi HeroBook Air: A US$249 laptop with a 768p display and an Intel Celeron N4020 processor

Chuwi has introduced the HeroBook Air, a compact laptop that is also just US$249. Unfortunately, US$249 does not buy you much, not even a 1080p display. The Celeron N4020-powered laptop will go on sale later this month.

Alex Alderson, 07 Sep 2021 18:21

War Thunder 2.9 ''Direct Hit'' update now available with multiple changes in tow (Source: Own)

War Thunder 2.9 ''Direct Hit'' arrives with two new maps, NVIDIA DLSS 2.2, new military hardware, and more

Labeled 2.9 “Direct Hit” and released earlier today, the latest update to War Thunder sports a rich collection of new aircraft, ships, armored vehicles, and more. Its highlights include the MiG-27M (also the first aircraft in the ...

Codrut Nistor, 07 Sep 2021 15:59

Android app support will arrive in Windows 11 and Windows 11 only. (Image source: Microsoft)

Android app support is not coming to Xbox consoles, but it may be compatible with the first version of Windows 11

Microsoft has published the first element of Android app support for Windows 11. Initially listed as being compatible with Xbox consoles, the app works with Windows 10, too. Both references are seemingly erroneous, but compatibili...

Alex Alderson, 07 Sep 2021 00:20

The Intel NUC P14E Laptop Element has a 3:2 display and a 77 Wh battery. (Image source: Intel)

The Intel NUC P14E is a modular laptop with a 2K display and a 77 Wh battery

Intel has unveiled the NUC P14E, a modular laptop with high-end hardware. The NUC P14E has a 2K and 3:2 display, a 77 Wh battery, biometric authentication options and an aluminium build. The NUC P14E has more ports than most conve...

Alex Alderson, 06 Sep 2021 20:13

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