Magazine

For those sticking to their years-old phone, the G54 is definitely worth upgrading to. (Image source: Notebookcheck - edited)

At US$200, the Moto G54 almost makes the U$799 Apple iPhone 15 look like bad value

CheckMag For a quarter of the price of an Apple iPhone 15, Motorola's Moto G54 delivers very good shots, 5G compatibility, a sharp screen with no PWM flickering, good looks, strong performance and stock Android experience. A few quirks suc...

Sergey Tarasov, 09 Nov 2023 20:57

2018's new Apple Pencil saw a raft of new features announced - and 2023's saw a bunch of them taken away. (Image credit: Own)

Apple’s USB-C Pencil is still pretty...pointless

CheckMag A lot can change in less than a month. New iMacs, MacBooks, and M-series chips might have been announced, but don't let that distract you from the fact that Cupertino's new non-Lightning Pencil – its first in half a decade – is ar...

Matthew Lee, 09 Nov 2023 19:36

Over the years, talented developers have proven there's more to expansions than map packs and cosmetics. (Image source: Unsplash)

6 influential expansions that changed the face of gaming

CheckMag A good expansion can turn a poorly received videogame into a darling, or elevate a good one to legendary status. Good expansions build upon and shape the base game they originated from – and the best can introduce innovations that...

Matthew Lee, 09 Nov 2023 19:24

Nokia 9110 Communicator. (Image source: Wikipedia)

From concept to reality: Foldable phones have come a long way

CheckMag Foldable or flip phones allow users to fold their phones in half or use them as a tablet. These devices have come a long way, surviving the thick and thin of the technology sector. They quickly gained customer attention, but the c...

Ayesha Aslam, 09 Nov 2023 19:11

Apple M2 Ultra vs the might of x86

CheckMag The launch of Apple's first home-grown CPU design in late 2020 has sparked an arms race with x86 giants such as AMD and Intel. The M2 Ultra has a total of 24 CPU cores in which 16 are performance cores and 8 are efficiency cores. ...

Daniel Murti, 08 Nov 2023 08:58

Samsung Bada was a smartphone platform released in 2010. (Image source: Bada/waybackmachine)

Bada OS: Revisiting Samsung’s defunct mobile OS

CheckMag Before Samsung finally settled on making only Android smartphones, it experimented with other operating systems, one of which was Bada OS, a proprietary OS that powered some of Samsung's phones for a brief period.

Habeeb Onawole, 07 Nov 2023 04:25

The Vision 14 received an 89% rating in our testing (Image source: Notebookcheck - edited)

7 reasons why a Schenker Vision 14 (2023) is better than an HP Envy

CheckMag The Schenker Vision 14 is a very good laptop that fully deserves more spotlight. With no PWM, no coil whine and no significant throttling to speak of, the product is in several ways ahead of many Dells and HPs tested by us this ye...

Sergey Tarasov, 31 Oct 2023 21:25

One of the highlights of the Legion 9i 16IRX8 is a thin chassis and understated, yet decidedly still gaming-themed, design.

3 Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 8 review highlights that justify its ultra-high-end US$4,000+ pricetag

CheckMag In our review, we called the Lenovo Legion 9i Gen 8 16IRX8 the best Legion that money can buy, and that's not just because of its US$4,399 price and built-in water cooling. The Legion 9i Gen 8 earns its praise with an astonishingl...

Julian van der Merwe, 30 Oct 2023 22:09

With cellular connection, the customer has no way of influencing the speeds that he or she is getting. (Image source: Unsplash)

It's time to stop taking multi-gigabit cellular modems seriously

CheckMag When getting a laptop with a Gig+ Wi-Fi card such as the AX200, consumers know they are getting at least 900 Mbps in either direction. In contrast, download/upload rates smartphone chip makers such as Qualcomm mention in media rel...

Sergey Tarasov, 30 Oct 2023 03:07

Alan Wake 2 running on a Steam Deck (Source: Notebookcheck)

Alan Wake 2 works on the Steam Deck but only with user assistance

CheckMag Alan Wake 2 is one of the most anticipated games of 2023. The minimum specifications were so high they had the PC community up in arms. But does it work on a Steam Deck? The short answer: Yes. But there are some fairly significant...

David Devey, 28 Oct 2023 19:20

The Radeon PRO W7900 is a powerful graphics card for creators. (Image source: AMD)

AMD re-entering the workstation GPU market is a force for Nvidia to reckon with

CheckMag Since 2006, CUDA has been consistently gaining ground in the workstation and gaming market. In recent times AMD has introduced Pro Render and other features to entice workstation users.

Daniel Murti, 28 Oct 2023 01:38

Is the Pixel 8 Pro the world's first AI-first edge computing smartphone? (Source: Notebookcheck)

Pixel 8 Pro reviews may be inadvertantly convincing readers that the Tensor G3 is powering all new AI features

At best, many reviews of the Pixel 8 Pro don’t distinguish between when AI tasks are performed on device by the Tensor G3 and when they are off-loaded to Google Cloud for processing. At worst, some assume that all of the AI models...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 26 Oct 2023 00:00

GRID Autosport offers PC and console quality racing on your phone. (Source: NotebookCheck)

3 console quality Android and iOS games that can rival Steam Deck games

CheckMag Don't have a Steam Deck to hand? Waiting for Apple to release Resident Evil on the iPhone 15 Pro? Here are 3 Android and iOS games that offer PC and console class gaming on your device today. Just make sure you pair it with a dece...

David Devey, 25 Oct 2023 22:50

Life gets easier when there is no extra weight to carry - but at what cost? (Image source: Notebookcheck - edited)

3 of the lightest smartwatches and fitness trackers Notebookcheck reviewed in 2023

CheckMag The Huawei Band 8, the Huawei Watch Fit SE and the Amazfit Band 7 are the lightest fitness trackers and smartwatches that we have tested over the course of the last 10 months. In this short piece, we briefly revisit their features...

Sergey Tarasov, 23 Oct 2023 20:23

The iPhone camera may not be exactly as it seems (Image source: Apple - edited)

Apple needs to be more honest about the iPhone camera specification

CheckMag Does measuring features differently to the competition make a product better? Is Apple "Thinking Different" or hoping branding will sell more devices? There certainly seems to be some convenient favouritism shown by Apple in regar...

David Devey, 23 Oct 2023 20:07

The Google Pixel 8 Pro features some impressive cloud-powered AI features. (Source: Notebookcheck)

Exclusive: Google confirms with Notebookcheck it blocked benchmarks during Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro review embargo period

Notebookcheck has received written confirmation from Google that it deliberately blocked the installation of benchmarks on its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices during the review embargo period. It confirms our earlier report on the...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 23 Oct 2023 07:52

Warframe's Abyss of Dagath update introduces a harrowing new Warframe and a host of welcome quality of life changes. (Image source: Digital Extremes)

Warframe Abyss of Dagath update delivers 4 crucial changes alongside the new frame

CheckMag Warframe's Abyss of Dagath update just went live, bringing with it a number of big changes that may make the game more friendly to both new and old players alike. Here are four Abyss of Dagath highlights, including immortal compan...

Julian van der Merwe, 19 Oct 2023 22:31

Europa combines sci-fi and fantasy elements in a relaxing adventure through a gorgeous backdrop. (Image source: Steam)

3 gorgeous indie adventure games previewed at Steam Next Fest that are coming soon

Between the atmospheric horror platforming of Artificial and the expansive, fantastical exploration of Europa, the Steam Next Fest previewed some of the most visually-pleasing indie adventure games coming to Valve's platform.

Julian van der Merwe, 18 Oct 2023 02:55

Final Fantasy XIV is one of the biggest games still sticking to the subscription model, even 10 years in. (Image source: Square Enix)

Bringing back subscription games could be the answer to greedy microtransactions

CheckMag So, another game comes out. It’s packed with battle passes, a cosmetic store, and an intolerable grind carefully designed to inflate playtime until you give up and spend money on it. It’s not made to be fun, it’s made to drive eng...

Matthew Lee, 12 Oct 2023 18:26

We tested the €2,399 e-bike in September 2023 and found it to be mostly good. (Image source: Notebookcheck - edited)

Revisiting our Gazelle Esprit C7 HMS e-bike review: Quiet, reliable, and fun to use

CheckMag The Gazelle Esprit C7 HMS's low standover height, combined with quality Shimano components, makes for enjoyable rides and trouble-free day-to-day use. The 418 Wh battery allowed us to ride 70 km (43 miles) in the Alpine foothills ...

Sergey Tarasov, 10 Oct 2023 02:32

Amazon Music was the first big-name library-matching service offered - and the first to be culled (image source: Amazon)

Music lockers – a look back at the best, and worst, of both worlds

CheckMag Music lockers have always been curious creatures. Amazon, Google and Apple promised they would bring legacy music collections forward into the cloud age – but all three pivoted to streaming services as they saw the way the wind wa...

Matthew Lee, 03 Oct 2023 20:11

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the crowning achievement of the Tab S9 lineup.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra - 3 reasons why Notebookcheck loved the colossal Android tablet

Samsung leads the premium Android tablet market with its Galaxy Tab Ultra, and its ultraslim design and fast, bright Dynamic AMOLED 2X display are just some highlights of the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra's features that impressed us in our...

Julian van der Merwe, 03 Oct 2023 19:57

The titanium credit card might even get discontinued (Image source: Unsplash - edited)

Apple Card is slowly fading into oblivion

CheckMag The titanium credit card Apple launched in 2019 was set to conquer the world, according to easy-to-excite types. The hype was so abundant that Samsung followed suit shortly out of fear of missing out. It's Q4 2023 and Apple Card's...

Sergey Tarasov, 02 Oct 2023 04:12

Steam Deck fans need to cool their jets on a next-gen model, lest they be rewarded with disappointment. (Image source: Valve)

Steam Deck 2 delay was right choice for Valve as mid-generation refresh would fare better

Valve won't be releasing a Steam Deck 2 with more performance until at least 2025. Given the broadly parallel smartphone market's reputation for disappointing incremental updates, this is the right choice. Valve should, however, t...

Julian van der Merwe, 30 Sep 2023 17:23

4 retro gaming accessories that support a blast to the past

PC gaming has come a long way, but the retro look and nostalgia factor are picking up steam. As such, here are some excellent, affordable retro gaming accessories such as the Retroid Pocket Flip and 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboar...

Julian van der Merwe, 30 Sep 2023 00:23

Too hot to handle? The iPhone 15 Pro Max. (Source: Notebookcheck)

Opinion: What is going on with iPhone 15 Pro overheating issues?

Since the iPhone 15 Pro rolled out to customers last week, reports quickly started to emerge that were overheating. Renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has pointed the finger at the iPhone’s internal design, but not all iPhone 15 Pro us...

Sanjiv Sathiah, 29 Sep 2023 06:43

It's easy to get lost in the sea of handhelds floating around nowadays.

3 of the best handheld gaming PCs we tested in 2023 put Valve's feet to the fire for Steam Deck 2 performance

The Steam Deck may still be the de-facto gaming handheld in 2023, but that doesn't mean there aren't alternatives. Companies like Asus, GPD, and OneXPlayer have all released excellent alternatives to the Deck that deserve consider...

Julian van der Merwe, 29 Sep 2023 00:38

Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 may not feature the ground-breaking graphics capabilities we had hoped for. (Image source: Nvidia/Nintendo - edited)

No way the Nintendo Switch 2 will be a Steam Deck killer - despite alleged PS4-like prowess

Recent Nintendo Switch 2 leaks have led to much speculation about specifications. The apparent suggestion is that Nintendo's next-generation hybrid handheld console would match the PS4 in performance, but lofty performance doesn't...

Julian van der Merwe, 23 Sep 2023 17:42

It's been a long time since the Littlest Pascal GPU was cutting-edge. (Image source: Nvidia)

Charting the demise of Nvidia's MX GPUs across six laptops

CheckMag 2017 was a heady year for Nvidia. The Pascal architecture remains fondly regarded even today, with the GTX 1080 Ti seen as one of the company's high-water marks - but it also ruled the bottom end of the market, with the MX150 the ...

Matthew Lee, 22 Sep 2023 16:55

Whale is here to take web browsing to the next level (Image source: Naver, Google, Microsoft - edited)

Naver Whale: A lovely freeware web browser for those looking to break free of Edge and Chrome's stranglehold

CheckMag Whale by Naver is like a breath of fresh air in the crowded Web browser market. The browser hails from Korea; it looks great, it has additional features that are actually useful, like screen recording in GIF format, and it is comp...

Sergey Tarasov, 21 Sep 2023 21:04

To reduce those long render times, content creators need the latest and greatest hardware available. (Image source: Notebookcheck)

3 GeForce RTX 4090 gaming laptops that can double as content creation powerhouses

CheckMag We have chosen a selection of 3 gaming laptops from our detailed Notebookcheck reviews: The ROG Strix Scar 17 G733PY, the Legion Pro 7 16 and the Erazer Beast X40 all sport 175 W RTX 4090 graphics and spacious, color-accurate, fli...

Sergey Tarasov, 19 Sep 2023 23:05

AMD is planning on rolling out FidelityFX Super Resolution 3 to the first supported games in early fall (autumn). (Image source: AMD)

Upscalers and perspectives: In offence of AMD's FSR 2.0

CheckMag Image upscaling techniques in games have been a huge step forward, enhancing graphics quality while optimising performance. While the promise of better-than-native-resolution image quality is only a reality in a few select cases -...

Matthew Lee, 17 Sep 2023 20:34

The Xiaomi Pad 6 serves as convincing competition to Apple's iPad, particularly thanks due to its low price point. (Image source: Xiaomi)

4 of the best 11-inch Android tablets - Lenovo, Xiaomi, and Samsung take the fight to Apple's door with midrange powerhouses

When it comes to tablets, Apple's iPad is the gold standard, but many Android makers have spent years playing catch up. A number of top Android manufacturers that have spent years chasing the iPad have finally stumbled across winn...

Julian van der Merwe, 13 Sep 2023 01:33

PHP trails behind C family programming languages in popularity (Image source: KOBU Agency on Unsplash)

4 of the world's most popular programming languages in 2023 according to IEEE and GitHub

Python, Java, JavaScript, and C family members are the world's most widely used programming languages as of September 2023, according to the IEEE and PYPL. The Rust language that is increasingly used by Microsoft is found closer t...

Sergey Tarasov, 12 Sep 2023 22:48

The Steam Deck was launched in 2022. (Image source: Petar Vukobrat on Unsplash)

Supposed Steam Deck killers are missing the point

There are plenty of supposed Steam Deck killers available in the portable gaming space, from the Asus ROG Ally to the Lenovo Legion Go and all the Ayaneo and ONEXPLAYER devices in between. But none of them have managed to outright...

Matthew Lee, 11 Sep 2023 23:36

Dell XPS laptops are supposed to deliver superior user experience, but this isn't always the case. (Image source: Notebookcheck - edited)

2023 Dell XPS laptops might be a bad deal according to our extensive reviews

Of the 3 Dell XPS laptops we tested in 2023, none was truly great. The XPS 13 9320, the XPS 15 9530 and the XPS 17 9730 all sport a similar range of issues including subpar performance-per-dollar ratios, DPC latency issues and blu...

Sergey Tarasov, 01 Sep 2023 14:14

Stellaris is an iconic space-based 4X RTS game with superb variation and exploration. (Image source: Steam)

Steam Strategy Fest discounts 3 of the best 4X games until September 4

Whether you're in it for the brain-tickling strategy, or you're simply looking for an adventurous game to take a break from all the MMORPG and FPS games, the Steam Strategy Fest has something for you to explore, expand, exploit, a...

Julian van der Merwe, 01 Sep 2023 13:49

3 products Apple won't bring back for the iPhone 15 launch on September 12

On the 12th of September, we are getting a new generation of the iPhone, as well as the Watch. In the meantime, several iconic products such as the "trash can" Mac Pro will again be left waiting for Apple to revive them in one for...

Sergey Tarasov, 30 Aug 2023 15:14

Type a sentence, hit Enter, and a piece of art is born, just like that (Image source: Fusion Brain)

4 websites offering generative AI magic right in the Web browser, no sign-up required

It's not just ChatGPT and Midjourney; there are lots of AI-enabled sites out there, waiting for the user to come and generate exciting things. Some are not only free to use, they also do not require one to sign up. Wallpapers by A...

Sergey Tarasov, 26 Aug 2023 15:30

Some of the best Steam Deck accessories directly affect how users interact with their consoles. (Image source: Various - edited)

4 exciting Steam Deck accessories that aim to elevate Valve's handheld to new heights

From screen upgrades to retro docks, there are some truly fascinating Steam Deck accessories kicking about, whether already released or on the horizon. Here are four tantalising options to kick Valve's handheld gaming experience i...

Julian van der Merwe, 25 Aug 2023 18:49

Ned laughed until he was a little hoarse. (Image source: Jerry King/Unsplash - edited)

Phone zombies and smart pets tickle the ribs in tech cartoon selection

FunTech FunTech is Notebookcheck’s new regular magazine feature where we will post great cartoons featuring tech, the best tech memes, and any other tech-related zaniness that has made us smile. It’s good to remember that in such a seriou...

Daniel R Deakin, 20 Aug 2023 08:12

Quite a few people made billions in telecommunications and in software engineering (Image source: Unsplash)

5 low-profile tech billionaires who don't run Apple and didn't co-found Microsoft

Virtually everyone has heard of top technology billionaires such as Tim Cook and Bill Gates, but the fact is plenty of other entrepreneurs made fortunes on tech products and services many of us use daily. This article puts a brief...

Sergey Tarasov, 07 Aug 2023 02:40

Fisker's Ocean SUV takes a different approach to EV design, focussing more on comfort than ultimate performance. (Image source: Fisker)

Fisker Ocean reviews highlight 3 features that Tesla and Rivian should take note of

The handsome Fisker Ocean crossover SUV has finally begun landing in the hands of owners and media outlets, giving us our first real independent look at this EV newcomer. While no EV is perfect, there are a number of unique featur...

Julian van der Merwe, 02 Aug 2023 07:45

The Windows world still has no answer to the MagSafe connector, first introduced by Apple in the 00s (Image source: Notebookcheck - edited)

7 reasons why the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air is far superior to its Windows laptop counterparts

There are lots of small differences to keep in mind when choosing between a MacBook and an upper mid-range Windows laptop. In this article, we go over some of the things that make the current 15-inch M2 MacBook Air the superior op...

Sergey Tarasov, 02 Aug 2023 07:37

Nvidia is behind the fastest graphics card for laptops, with Intel conspicuously absent from the list (Image source: Unsplash)

3 fastest graphics cards for a gaming laptop in mid 2023

Nvidia's RTX 4090 (Laptop) is the unquestionable champion as AMD keeps paying more attention to the desktop segment. The fastest graphics card for laptops from AMD was only good for the 3rd place in our little list.

Sergey Tarasov, 02 Aug 2023 01:25

Gamers can enjoy everything from arcade-style F1 racing to MOBA fighting action for free on Steam. (Image source: Steam - edited)

3 blood-pumping free multiplayer games on Steam for sure-fire LAN fun

There's something unique about the competitive atmosphere of a multiplayer game, whether it be a racing game, a platformer, or a classic shooter. Although these three Steam games find themselves in almost entirely different genres...

Julian van der Merwe, 27 Jul 2023 07:23

The Sony A6700 and the Fujifilm X-S20 both pack a lot of power into surprisingly small APS-C bodies. (Image source: Sony / Fujifilm - edited)

Fujifilm X-S20 vs Sony A6700 - a midrange APS-C battle in 4 specifications

Sony's US$1,399 A6700 and Fujifilm's US$1,299 X-S20 represent both manufacturers' latest stab at the midrange interchangeable lens APS-C hybrid camera. While they're similarly capable cameras, there are a few features and specific...

Julian van der Merwe, 19 Jul 2023 23:20

Will Apple silicon laptops be useable past the day Apple stops supporting them? (Image source: Notebookcheck/Unsplash - edited)

Apple silicon-based Macs and MacBooks are set to age faster than any Mac in recent history

Apple tends to support its products for six or seven years. For the Apple silicon-based MacBook Air and Mac mini released in H2 2020, this means that almost half of their useful life is now behind them, and with no Windows compati...

Sergey Tarasov, 17 Jul 2023 19:18

A major overlooked part of getting into digital photography is the accessories that you need to pair with a camera body. (Image source: Peak Design)

3 beginner camera tips - what to consider before buying a first mirrorless or DSLR camera

Shopping for a first camera can be a daunting experience, especially for someone coming from a smartphone camera with little experience. While it's easy to drop US$3,000 on a premium camera, it's worth the effort to take a measure...

Julian van der Merwe, 15 Jul 2023 04:10

This Medion proved to be ahead of the competition in our testing (Image source: Notebookcheck/Unsplash - edited)

3 fastest RTX 4070 laptops as of mid-2023

CheckList The Medion Erazer Major X20, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16 G8 and the Lenovo Legion Slim 7i 16 G8 all sport the 140 W GeForce RTX 4070 (Laptop) graphics card to deliver great gaming experience at 1080p. Those three are the fastest RT...

Sergey Tarasov, 10 Jul 2023 21:29