Notebookcheck Logo

Comment articles on Notebookcheck

Our writers use the opportunity to share their personal views concerning current events with the readers in the form of opinion articles to encourage public debate and further expand the breadth of public opinion.

Notebookcheck is an objective, independent technology publication with a main focus on data-oriented reviews, a comprehensive CPU and GPU benchmark aggregator and a daily news publication that provides readers with transparently sourced content.

The editorial team at Notebookcheck is composed of 45 authors from all over the world (as of 2019). We offer our writers an opportunity to share their views with the readers in the form of opinion articles with the goal of encouraging and shaping public debates, in which all parties are welcome to partake. This is why we have a comments section at the end of each article. Readers are not required to sign up to participate.

Opinion articles only express the individual opinion of the author, and not of that of the entire editorial team. To avoid any possible confusion, these articles are clearly labeled as „comment“ and have a distinct visual style, when compared to news articles and reviews.

    settings restrict
Page Type
Restrict articles to display by Page Type. Each article only falls under one Page Type category.
, , , , , ,
Tags
Restrict articles to display by their associated tags. Articles can have multiple tags and can be further restricted with the "and" or search relation.
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Search
Search by article title: 
additional restrictions: Opinion
Keychron K15 Max with a split space bar Alice design

Split space bar mechanical keyboards are dumb — until they aren't

CheckMag Nobody needs two space bars, but that's not the point of a split space bar design. A split space bar can help reduce finger strain and even increase typing speed and accuracy, as long as you put in the effort to make it work for y...
Julian van der Merwe, 27 Nov 2024 05:49
The M4-powered Mac Mini (Image source: Notebookcheck)

The M4 Mac Mini is the best desktop for most people

CheckMag The new M4 Mac Mini is making waves in both the critical and consumer circles, and for good reason. The tiny desktop is an engineering marvel that boasts plenty of power packed into a tiny (and relatively inexpensive) package. Whi...
Sam Medley, 26 Nov 2024 07:05
The Casio AE-1200WHD-1AV, which is only $13 more expensive than the basic AE-1200WH-1A owing to the metal elements. (Image source: MTR Watches)

The $30 Casio AE-1200WH - or the 'Casio Royale' - proves that affordable can be brilliant

CheckMag In a world saturated with expensive, feature-overloaded timepieces, Casio's AE-1200WH is a masterclass in designing affordable yet functional watches. The 2012 model has world time, multiple alarms, a stopwatch, a countdown timer,...
Anubhav Sharma, 17 Nov 2024 14:32
This piece of smart clothing comes equipped with multiple sensors (Image source: Textile school)

Smart fabrics: Improving athletic performance, one drop of sweat at a time

CheckMag Smart fabrics come in many shapes and sizes. Some pieces of smart clothing are impregnated with various sensors for performance tracking and comfort control; other options never get sweaty or have other unique superpowers. This li...
Nafisa Nazneen Choudhury, 14 Nov 2024 23:34
What will the laptops of the future look like? (image source: Dall-E 3 AI)

Stale designs: The laptop market needs an Elon Musk style disruption

CheckMag Laptop designs started to feel stale in recent years, with most laptops adopting similar design attributes - most following the example of Apple MacBooks. For this reason: The market needs an Elon Musk disruption!
Benjamin Herzig, 11 Nov 2024 15:46
The PS5 Pro might be be unexciting in performance and dreadful in price, but crucially for many - it Just Works. (Image source: Sony)

Consoles might be stagnating, but the gap to PC gaming is only growing wider

CheckMag Halfway through the ninth generation of consoles, it's probably safe to say that much of the gaming audience is unimpressed. Yet the release valve for console gamers that is mainstream PC gaming is growing further and further out ...
Matthew Lee, 29 Oct 2024 17:39
The long arm of Nintendo's legal team made fast work crushing Ryujinx and Yuzu once they set their mind to it (Image source: Nintendo - edited)

Ryujinx and Yuzu have bitten the dust, and Nintendo was right to shut them down

CheckMag Nintendo has a long history of screwing over its fans, whether it’s releasing underpowered hardware, suing fan projects, shutting down services older consoles rely on, and constantly re-selling its back catalogue of games to peopl...
David Devey, 18 Oct 2024 20:02
A humanoid robot (Image source: AI-generated)

Tesla's Optimus isn't Prime yet and that's okay

CheckMag Tesla does not always deliver on its promises, and the latest news on its humanoid robot proves as much. While that's unfortunate, it does not mean Tesla is a bad company.
Rohith Bhaskar, 15 Oct 2024 18:26
The Fujifilm X-M5 strikes an excellent balance between price, convenience, and features. (Image source: Fujifilm - edited)

Fujifilm X-M5 is the compact, beginner-friendly X-T30 replacement the overpriced X-T50 should have been

CheckMag Fujifilm divided its community earlier this year when it launched the X-T50, with many calling it overpriced, and others criticising it for failing to adequately appeal to either beginners or experienced hobbyists. The Fujifilm X-...
Julian van der Merwe, 15 Oct 2024 06:26
The Fujifilm X-M5 will be a modernised version of the X-M1, but its missing features may be a blessing in disguise. (Image source: Fujifilm)

Missing Fujifilm X-M5 features could be the compact camera's biggest strength

CheckMag The launch of the Fujifilm X-M5 is apparently upon us, and recent leaks and rumours indicate that the upcoming compact APS-C camera will be missing a few key features from its larger counterparts — crucial among them, IBIS and an ...
Julian van der Merwe, 04 Oct 2024 19:31
Both the Xiaomi 14T Pro and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE have a metal frame and glass back. (Image source: Xiaomi and Samsung)

4 reasons I'll choose the Xiaomi 14T Pro over the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE

CheckMag Samsung's Galaxy S24 FE and the Xiaomi 14T Pro will be going head to head in several markets. They both have flagship features and a price to match, but when it comes down to making a choice between the two phones, it is an easy d...
Habeeb Onawole, 30 Sep 2024 02:08
AMD needs to take mobile seriously in order to effectively compete against Snapdragon X and Lunar Lake. (Image source: AMD)

AMD cannot afford to alienate its laptop partners and needs to step on the gas, now!

CheckMag A recent report by AC Analysis seems to indicate AMD's relationship with its laptop OEM partners isn't exactly a rosy affair. The Santa Clara semiconductor giant is reportedly unable to supply enough CPUs to meet partner demands, ...
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 18 Sep 2024 19:18
Oprah Winfrey interviews AI technology leaders and public in hour-long ABC broadcast. (Image source: ABC)

Oprah Winfrey interviews AI technology leaders and public in ABC broadcast titled AI and the Future of Us

Oprah Winfrey has interviewed AI technology leaders and the public in an hour-long ABC broadcast titled AI and the Future of Us. The show was created to help the public better understand the benefits and threats of current and eme...
David Chien, 14 Sep 2024 09:42
Apple's upcoming M4-powered MacBook Pro lineup is expected to bring substantial performance improvements to the table. (Image source: Own)

Buying a MacBook Pro right now might be a grave mistake - here's why

CheckMag Apple's upcoming MacBook Pro lineup with M4 Pro and M4 Max SoCs is likely to boast serious performance improvements owing to the increased demands of Apple Intelligence, even though any visual changes or OLED displays are unlikely...
Sambit Saha, 13 Sep 2024 19:23
This is the one iPhone feature Android manufacturers need to copy. (Image source: Apple - edited)

The iPhone 16 hardware camera button is the best thing to happen to Android smartphone photography in years

CheckMag Apple may be copying a 15-year-old feature with the Camera Control button, but it's almost guaranteed that Samsung and its ilk will copy the feature. This is excellent news for anyone that wants a physical shutter button but doesn...
Julian van der Merwe, 11 Sep 2024 22:59
"Pro" at last means the same regardless of the screen size - thankfully, a trend a number of manufacturers are now onboard with. (Image Source: Apple)

Finally, the iPhone 16 Pro doesn’t discriminate against those who want a smaller screen

CheckMag Historically, the best features have been reserved for the largest screens, regardless of the "Pro" moniker attached to the name. But some manufacturers are waking up to the fact that not everyone wants a monolith in their pocket....
David Devey, 11 Sep 2024 12:32
The foldable and lightweight Ossby Geo e-bike offers stylish looks and and useful features around the city, unfortunately its composite frame broke after just a few hours of actual use. (Image source: Alexander Fagot, Notebookcheck)

Ossby Geo: Broken frame after just a few days of using this lightweight, foldable e-bike made from recycled materials

CheckMag The European made Geo was originally supposed to weigh just 11 kilograms (24 pounds) in total, but came in at around 16 kg (35 pounds) when it was finally delivered to early Kickstarter backers in August of 2024. It's not just the award-winning folding design of this new e-bike from Spanish manufacturer Ossby that stands out amongst its peers of electric folding bikes but also the unusual features and the proposed sustainability of this lightweight city bike in 2024. Unfortunately, the promised aluminum-equivalent strength of the "composite frame" made from recycled materials disappoints - at least in my case. A way too short report of my personal experience with the Ossby Geo. Update: Manufacturer statement included
Alexander Fagot, 03 Sep 2024 14:19
The Legion Go is Lenovo's only gaming handheld release to date. (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Lenovo's clarification about rumoured new gaming handheld releases still leaves room for Legion Go Lite

CheckMag A Lenovo representative recently clarified rumours about the possibility of the company releasing new Legion Go gaming handhelds. While the company has sought to dampen rumours, its statement still leaves space for the arrival of ...
Alex Alderson, 14 Aug 2024 13:01
The RX 7900 XTX may be a great GPU for gaming, but 3D rendering benchmarks tell a completely different story. (Image source: AMD)

Radeon cards and 3D rendering jobs do not mix. Hobbyists and artists aren't amused about it

CheckMag AMD Radeon products have been fending Nvidia off rather well in recent years, providing better rasterization performance and more VRAM at a lower cost. That’s great for gamers, but what about everyone else? Update: Clarification o...
Alfrancis Villapando, 05 Aug 2024 20:09
Toyota switched to Linux in 2011 (Image source: AI generated)

Toyota Motors and its Linux journey

CheckMag I spoke with Brian R Lyons of TMNA Toyota Motor Corp North America about the implementation of Linux in Toyota and Lexus infotainment systems. Automotive Grade Linux (AGL) is a version of Linux being used by several automotive man...
Malcolm Dean, 01 Aug 2024 15:27
The graphics chip of the RTX 2070 (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Ages like fine wine - How good is the mobile RTX 2070 in 2024?

CheckMag Turing, the GPU generation that delivered upscaling and ray tracing, has now all but fallen into obscurity as compared to its still widely used Pascal and Ampere brethren. The desktop RTX 2070 may have been middling at best even a...
Alfrancis Villapando, 30 Jul 2024 22:12
The Redmi Pad SE 4G shares little in common with the Redmi Pad SE. (Image source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi’s Redmi Pad SE 4G is a misnomer

CheckMag With the Redmi Pad SE 4G, Xiaomi breaks the tradition of what a cellular variant of a tablet should be. However, it can still make corrections.
Habeeb Onawole, 30 Jul 2024 16:50
Image source: Techspot

Cheaper ARM laptop chips could be a really big deal

CheckMag Lost in the Snapdragon X Elite hype is the prospect of lower-end Qualcomm laptop chips taking the market by storm as these hold so much more promise for a true revolution than their costlier counterparts do.
Stanislav Kokhanyuk, 29 Jul 2024 22:48
I don't want to learn why, Google. I want to leave me alone and let me use my computer. (Image Source: gHacks, edited.)

When exactly did web browsers turn into helicopter parents?

CheckMag We're sorry, but unfortunately NBC Notebookprotect Safe Browsing filter doesn't recognise this blurb. This article might try to do unpredictable things to your computer.
Matthew Lee, 24 Jul 2024 01:01
A caricature of AMD crushing Intel's failing CPUs. (Image source: Own)

Intel's own blunders have it backed into a corner as AMD Zen 5 chips near

CheckMag Intel Raptor Lake i9 chip owners are plagued by system crashes that can be traced back to the chips' excessive voltage and wattage. AMD might seize the opportunity with the release of Zen 5 and while Arrow Lake and Lunar Lake are ...
Alfrancis Villapando, 19 Jul 2024 19:21
A Lunar Lake chip (Image source: Intel)

Intel is far from being out and has all it takes to make a comeback

CheckMag The deck is not fully stacked against Intel yet. The company still has tricks up its sleeve. Some of those are coming onboard Lunar Lake family chips which might prove enough for Intel to triumph in the laptop segment of the marke...
Stanislav Kokhanyuk, 19 Jul 2024 13:10
Maybe marketing claims that portray the Cybertruck as some sort of heavyweight sports car are not the best idea. (Image source: Tesla)

First Cybertruck rollover accident highlights flawed Tesla marketing — maybe a truck shouldn't cosplay as a sports car

CheckMag The first recorded Cybertruck rollover has emerged out of Vicksburg, Mississippi. While it looks like simple driver error or circumstance were most likely the cause, Tesla's lofty claims about the Cybertruck's low centre of gravit...
Julian van der Merwe, 04 Jul 2024 03:23
A flagship chip, high-end display, and a pretty large battery are among the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro's top features. (Image source: OnePlus)

OnePlus and the 2MP camera curse

CheckMag OnePlus's line of affordable flagship phones is known for offering mostly high-end features at a more pocket-friendly price than its main flagship series. Unfortunately, OnePlus keeps shooting itself in the foot by employing a pra...
Habeeb Onawole, 01 Jul 2024 18:00
It's been a long time since there's been serious effort put into compact graphics cards above the midrange. (Image: Inno3D)

Give us real SFF, Nvidia, you cowards.

CheckMag 2.5 slots? Twelve inches? You call that small form factor, Jensen Huang? Absolutely not. The line must be drawn here! This far, no further!
Matthew Lee, 30 Jun 2024 16:58
Microsoft could partner with OEMs such as ASUS for its first Xbox gaming handheld. (Image source: ASUS and Xbox - edited)

Microsoft's Xbox gaming handheld will fail unless someone else makes it

CheckMag Microsoft, please let someone else make a portable Xbox! Fans have been clamoring for a handheld for years now, and there is a likelihood one is in the pipeline. However, Microsoft is a better software company than a hardware one,...
Habeeb Onawole, 20 Jun 2024 20:03
Nikon has officially announced the Z6 III, and although it features a number of nifty updates, none of them are revolutionary. (Image source: Nikon)

Nikon Z6 III proves mirrorless camera breakthroughs a thing of the past — why that's okay

Nikon has officially launched the Z6 III, and, while it is certainly a marvellously capable middleweight camera with impressive features, the minor upgrades across the board are indicative of a problem. Digital cameras are no long...
Julian van der Merwe, 17 Jun 2024 22:53
Are current-generation handheld gaming PCs worth it? It depends. (Image source: Notebookcheck)

Gaming handhelds: better than ever but don't buy one now

CheckMag Between staunch discounts, plentiful competition, and the recent release of the Steam Deck OLED, there has never been a better time to buy a gaming handheld. However, imminent new releases for the Asus ROG Ally, Nintendo Switch, a...
Julian van der Merwe, 14 Jun 2024 20:08
This small adapter enables one of the best headsets on the market to work with PC (Source: Playstation.com)

Thanks to the PlayStation VR2 PC adapter, one of the best PC VR headsets is also the cheapest

CheckMag The PlayStation VR2 PC adapter makes the PlayStation VR 2 headset compatible with PC and Steam VR. The hardware spec gives players an experience that is on par with the Valve Index and arguably better than the Meta Quest 3 for a s...
David Devey, 09 Jun 2024 19:59
The EU has a solid history of making decisions that actually make sense for consumers and the environment (Source: COE)

The EU's updated right to repair rules are the breath of fresh air consumers and the planet need

CheckMag The EU has a solid history of making decisions that actually benefit the consumer and the EU Right to Repair Directive (R2RD) may finally curb environmentally damaging and anti consumer practices employed by tech companies to keep...
David Devey, 09 Jun 2024 19:49
The Panasonic Lumix S9 has come under fire over the numerous corners cut to reach its $1,499 price and compact form factor. (Image source: Panasonic - edited)

4 underrated cameras that blow the flawed Panasonic Lumix S9 away

CheckMag It's quite obvious by now that the Panasonic Lumix S9 is a controversial camera. Fortunately, if you're after a small, powerful camera, there are some hidden gems out there that walk all over Panasonic's latest compact full-frame ...
Julian van der Merwe, 30 May 2024 19:36
Panasonic should have given us a premium Micro Four Thirds camera instead of the messy compromise of the Lumix S9. (Image source: Panasonic - edited)

Screw the Lumix S9 - the Micro Four Thirds Lumix GX10 is the camera we want

CheckMag Panasonic's new Lumix S9 is a feat of engineering and design, stuffing a full-frame sensor with IBIS into a body smaller than even many Micro Four Thirds cameras. That form factor comes with serious sacrifices, though. No EVF, no ...
Julian van der Merwe, 26 May 2024 19:40
The Pixel Tablet has a detachable speaker dock. (Image source: Google)

A price cut would have been better for the Google Pixel Tablet

CheckMag Google's decision to sell the Pixel Tablet without the dock is a good one, but it could have made it more enticing to prospective buyers if a price cut had been included in the mix.
Habeeb Onawole, 24 May 2024 17:11
The new Panasonic Lumix S9 might challenge the existing camera landscape thanks to its impressive price and feature set. (Image source: Panasonic - edited)

Panasonic Lumix S9 - death knells for APS-C, Micro Four-Thirds or just a course correction for bloated camera pricing?

CheckMag Full-frame mirrorless cameras in a compact package are nothing new, but the brand-new Panasonic Lumix S9 looks like it might be a bit of a shake-up in the camera industry — it may even rival the likes of the Fujifilm X100VI for th...
Julian van der Merwe, 22 May 2024 21:22
The Pixel 8a is the latest in the Pixel A series and the first model with 256 GB of storage. (Image source: Google)

The Google Pixel A series needs to continue to exist

CheckMag It has been five years since the first Pixel A series smartphones debuted, and despite unfounded rumors about its discontinuation, the importance of the Pixel A series’ existence can’t be overemphasized.
Habeeb Onawole, 21 May 2024 14:44
The Google Pixel 8a turns the Pixel 7a's design on its head without changing all that much. (Image source: Google - edited)

Google Pixel 7a vs Pixel 8a - 3 reasons to skip the Pixel 8a and 1 reason the new Pixel is superior

Google has unveiled many of the details surrounding its new Pixel 8a mid-range smartphone. Unfortunately for those looking for an exciting upgrade from the Google Pixel 7a, this simply isn't it. That doesn't mean the Pixel 8a is d...
Julian van der Merwe, 12 May 2024 05:03
The Asus ROG Ally is a very impressive device, but its hardware is far from perfect. There are a number of things Asus can and should fix when it launches the Asus ROG Ally 2 later this year. (Image source: Notebookcheck / Andreas Osthoff)

Asus ROG Ally 2 confirmed - 4 issues the next-gen handheld PC needs to address

The Asus ROG Ally 2 (or 2024) will apparently make an appearance at Computex 2024. While details on the new handheld device are still unclear, it could really use an update to the display, controls, and ports, as well as a proper ...
Julian van der Merwe, 04 May 2024 15:51
The Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A50 were among the first models released following the consolidation of Samsung's mid-range series. (Image source: Samsung)

Samsung is recreating its mid-range Galaxy smartphone mess

CheckMag In 2019, Samsung consolidated its budget and mid-range product lines by merging them. However, the company has since introduced new Galaxy smartphone lines, reversing the simplification.
Habeeb Onawole, 02 May 2024 18:45
It has been confirmed that a Legion Go 2 is in the works. Hopefully Lenovo can address some glaring issues with the current-gen model in the upcoming iteration. (Image source: Notebookcheck / Mark Herter)

Lenovo Legion Go 2 confirmed - 4 issues the new handheld gaming PC needs to fix

Lenovo has confirmed that it is working on a Legion Go 2. Lenovo's original gaming handheld is and was an impressive device, but the next iteration definitely needs a better screen, variable refresh rate, and a better controller e...
Julian van der Merwe, 30 Apr 2024 21:35
ProtonDB needs a clearer, more accurate rating system than its medals. (Image source: ProtonDB screenshot)

The Steam Deck and Linux gaming have a problem: ProtonDB sucks - let me explain

ProtonDB is the Linux gaming community's attempt at trying to fix Steam's lack of compatibility documentation surrounding Windows games on Linux. It is a fantastic tool for Linux gamers, but unfortunately, it only adds to the chao...
Julian van der Merwe, 25 Apr 2024 03:41
Which side of the scales are you on? (Source: Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash)

Social media: Does it cause more harm than good?

Debate It has been just over 20 years since Facebook first launched as a Harvard university project. In that time, a significant number of other platforms have launched including TikTok, Twitter (X), Snapchat, Instagram and more. But do ...
David Devey and Sergey Tarasov, 24 Apr 2024 23:20
Fallout 76 has been experiencing a renaissance of late thanks to the TV show, but will people be liking it as a game, or just as "more Fallout"? (Image: Bethesda Game Studios)

Fallout proves that people don't enjoy Bethesda's games, they just enjoy its worlds

CheckMag It's undeniable that Bethesda Game Studios has been a powerhouse in the RPG genre. Its flagship franchises, including Fallout, have repeatedly proven their staying power over the years thanks to Bethesda's tried-and-true open worl...
Matthew Lee, 22 Apr 2024 18:23
The Galaxy Fit 3 is Samsung's latest fitness tracker, and a cheaper alternative to the Galaxy Watch smartwatch. (Image source: Samsung)

Samsung's refusal to launch the Galaxy Fit 3 in the US is a lost opportunity

CheckMag The Galaxy Fit 3 won't be officially available in multiple key markets, and Samsung may be leaving money on the table, particularly in the US, with this poor decision.
Habeeb Onawole, 04 Apr 2024 12:43
Is it better to use an AI-generated image (left) of an upcoming device (PS5 Pro) or use a stand-in official image (PS5; right) until the actual product is spotted? (Image source: Dall-E 3 / SIE - edited)

AI-generated content in tech media: Good or bad - have your say

CheckMag With AI seemingly infiltrating all corners of the internet, it's time to actually ask whether AI content has a place in tech media, and if so, what is its place? What about the ethical and legal implications? Reader comment is wel...
Julian van der Merwe, 30 Mar 2024 02:30
As expected, Fujifilm's X100VI cameras are becoming more and more difficult to get your hands on.

5 Fujifilm X100VI alternatives you can actually buy without the $3,000 scalper markup

CheckMag It's no secret that the Fujifilm X100VI is nearly impossible to buy right now, with Fujifilm citing months of catchup ahead to fulfil orders again. If you're looking for solid performance in a charming package, here are five solid...
Julian van der Merwe, 28 Mar 2024 18:45
Even powerful smartphones, like the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Xiaomi 14 Ultra don't hold a candle to APS-C sensors in cameras like the Fujifilm X-T30 II. (Image source: Fujifilm - edited)

Smartphone cameras suck — buy a compact camera and a mid-range phone for better photography

CheckMag Hot take: Smartphones are not cameras. It's not their fault. It's just a fact. With cameras as portable and powerful as the Fujifilm X100VI and X-T30 II, skip the flagship phone upgrade and grab a real camera instead — your memori...
Julian van der Merwe, 14 Mar 2024 21:44
Please share our article, every link counts!
Mail Logo
Redaktion, 2020-06- 2 (Update: 2020-06- 8)