Magazine

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 X100VI alternatives that deliver the goods.

Apple is at the first major cross-roads since the passing of its late co-founder Steve Jobs 12 years ago. It finds itself still largely dependent on the product lines and businesses that Jobs left behind. Its Vision Pro has received mixed reviews on launch, while it is also facing several other headwinds including a major lawsuit against what the DOJ claims are its anticompetitive practices.

CheckMag Performance benchmarks are starting to trickle in for the MSI Claw and it’s not good news, but how well does it stack up against AMD based handhelds and can Intel really compete in the GPU market?

CheckMag Batocera has been around since 2016 but has reached a level of polish unmatched by its competitors. Great background music, boot animations and box art. Combined with the power of the Raspberry Pi 5, there’s never been a more pleasing, easy or cheap way to enjoy retro games.

CheckMag Any PC can run Windows, Linux or other OS of choice, but the average multicore processor provides enough headroom for a multitude of simultaneous tasks. Go beyond multitasking in a single OS and make your PC your home hub with this guide to the best home lab software solutions.

CheckMag While gaming laptops under $1,500 are budget-friendly, it doesn't imply compromising your ability to run the latest titles and enjoy an immersive gaming experience. If you're seeking excellent gaming performance at an affordable price, consider these four laptops to ensure you maximize the value for your money.

CheckMag Amber Lake and Coffee Lake-powered MacBooks find themselves swimming in dangerous waters whereas 2nd generation and 3rd generation iPhone SE phones have zero cause for concern. Every time Apple unleashes a new version of iOS and macOS on the market, it removes a few products from the list of devices it makes software updates for. Let's make an educated guess for 2024; which models will make it and which will not?

CheckMag For those familiar with sideloading on iOS, AltStore has been a staple for many years. Allowing users to sideload any app onto an un-jailbroken device with the use of a free Apple developer account. Now AltStore is going legit, but only if they can figure out how to work around Apple's draconian "malicious compliance" tactics.

CheckMag In the tech world, innovation is key, but not all inventions are winners. Big companies like Google, Apple, Samsung, and Amazon often risk introducing products that end up failing. Some of these products might have been ahead of their time, lacking the right technology or market demand. Others were simply odd, poorly made, or even unsafe. Let's look back at some of these gadgets that promised big changes but ended up as forgotten pieces in tech history.

CheckMag While the Tesla Cybertruck undoubtedly grabs attention with its unique design and impressive performance, it's crucial to examine other noteworthy electric pickup trucks on the market, especially those with more affordable starting prices. Here are four alternatives worth considering if you're in the market for an electric truck, featuring options from Rivian and Ford.

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 memories will thank you.

CheckMag If you are looking for a new monitor in 2024, there is a plethora of options. To save your time here is a list of five monitors that should be on your radar.

CheckMag The toothbrush botnet was one of those examples of the mainstream media fanning flames without the correct facts. However, the concept isn’t entirely unrealistic. Buying any connected device, particularly those from China, has the potential to get you compromised. When are we going to learn that not everything should be connected to the internet?

Google has billed its Pixel smartphones as being all about their AI capabilities. With revelations that the Pixel 8 can’t support Gemini Nano, Google’s first on-device LLM for Android phones, that reputation is in tatters.

CheckMag So. Yuzu is dead. The expected headline-grabbing battle ended with a whimper, with Tropic Haze, the team behind the emulator, settling almost immediately to the tune of a whopping $2.4 million. This wasn't just a slap on the wrist, it was a message.

CheckMag The Samsung Galaxy Watch is a fantastic piece of hardware, especially since Samsung moved to Wear OS. However, the battery on these devices seems to be all over the place. Turning on the battery saver can work, but doing that disables features, so here’s how to get consistently great battery life out of your Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, 5 or 6.

CheckMag Deal There isn’t much to differentiate between the Galaxy Watch Pro 5 and 6 Classic. If you can live without the latest and greatest, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is on sale right now with an unbelievable discount.

CheckMag Microsoft has historically monopolised the PC gaming space with Windows, but with increasingly invasive ads, bloat and data collection, many Windows users are looking for an alternative. Thanks to the Steam Deck, Valve and community projects like Proton GE, Linux is becoming a more viable option for gaming.

With AI-centric devices already here, and the first AI-centric smartphone concepts already being promoted at CES 2024 this past week, how long will Apple be able to maintain its iPhone status-quo?

CheckMag As the Steam Dinos vs. Robots game sale event is reaching its peak, here are some of the best game deals on Valve's game store. Seek answers in Horizon Zero Dawn, wage war on the machines in Generation Zero, or wrangle velociraptors in LEGO Jurassic World for as little as $3.99.

CheckMag MWC 2024 has showcased a variety of innovative phones, from color-changing to rollable models. Below are top 4 phones, which vary from early concepts to ready for purchase, all guaranteed to impress with their unique features.

CheckMag In mid-2022, a month before Tom Cruise and the US Navy did their very best to show that the big screen was in rude health, the apparent king of the small-screen announced that it wasn't doing so great. Some said it was all over for the company, but two years later it might be all over for its rivals instead.

CheckMag The MSI Claw A1M may well be the introduction of Intel to the world of portable gaming devices, but that's a long way from breaking the dominance of AMD's APUs on the space, especially in regard to Valve's incumbent handheld.

CheckMag If you weren't keeping an eye on Nvidia's GeForce News blog, you might've missed the RTX 3050 6 GB's release at the start of February. Even in a market segment desperate for a lean, entry-level graphics card, it's far from being "The Ultimate Play" that the 30-series tagline proclaims. In fact, the near-silent launch tells you all you need to know: it's an embarrassment.

CheckMag A round-up of all the best gaming laptops with team green GPUs for your gaming enjoyment. From the colossal MSI Titan 18 HX to the sleek Razer Blade 16 and diminutive Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14, these are the best of the Nvidia laptop bunch and there's something for everyone.

CheckMag GRIP and Steel Rats combine driving vehicles with blowing things up, whereas Urban Trial Freestyle and Absolute Drift cater to users looking for a more thoughtful and calm gaming experience. Those looking to get their hands soaked in blood will be well served by Apotheon.

CheckMag ChromeOS Flex was announced in February 2022 as a user-friendly and lightweight OS that does not require a wagonload of cores and RAM to function well. After using it for several days, we can confirm that it scores in many respects, appearance being just one of them. Update: Compatibility with Linux apps confirmed - thanks, Herb, thanks, A.

CheckMag At CES 2024 both LG and Samsung showed off their latest OLED monitors. With OLED monitors reaching up to 4K or more with 144 Hz refresh rates around the corner is it worth the wait?

CheckMag MWC 2024 serves as a launching pad for new smartphones and advanced technologies. However, many of these products might not be immediately available in the market. Below are the top 5 products that are currently available for either preorder or direct purchase.

CheckMag After a seventeen-year run in the smartphone market, Meizu has drawn the curtain on its mobile phone business. However, there are some of its phones that should not be forgotten.

CheckMag Mobile World Congress (MWC) serves as a showcase for cutting-edge technology, emphasizing tablets, wearables, and other mobile devices. This year, the event is highlighting an array of exceptional innovations, from bendable smartphones to transparent laptops. Here are the top 5 showstoppers from MWC 2024, guaranteed to impress.

CheckMag With companies like Altec Lansing completely discontinuing their 2.1 speakers, it is no secret that the selection of speakers for desktops have been dwindling. Let us explore 5 2.1 speakers for your desktop.

CheckMag Xiaomi spent a lot of time hyping the wrong feature on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The f/1.63–4.0 variable aperture is the true game-changer for photography and videography buffs. Combined with the 1-inch sensor, who even needs a compact camera, anymore?

CheckMag Choosing the ideal gaming monitor is essential for PC gamers in 2024. The current market offers everything from high-refresh-rate 1080p displays and detailed 4K screens to large ultrawide panels. Picking the best one can be challenging. Below are four outstanding gaming monitors, each designed to meet various gaming styles and requirements.

CheckMag If you're looking for the best of the best, Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra and Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max will both likely call your name, but they demand a price premium. Here are four alternatives to the typical flagship choices, from the video-snapping Xiaomi 14 Pro to the venerable Google Pixel 7 Pro.

CheckMag The electric vehicle market is rapidly expanding, with traditional automakers focusing on all-electric models. The year 2024 is set to see a significant surge in new EVs. If you're considering an electric vehicle, here are the top 5 EVs of 2024 that should be on your radar, including an entry for Tesla.

CheckMag The gaming industry is constantly adapting to new trends and innovations. In 2024, several key developments are expected to drive the industry forward and attract millions of new players. Below are the top four major trends expected to significantly reshape gaming by 2024.

CheckMag You might ask what use a gaming PC is without a monitor, but the ability to store your PC in any room in the house and play games using any device you can attach a controller to does have its benefits. If you have a solid network connection you can even game from it while on the go. Forget the PlayStation Portal, here's how to use devices you already own to play games remotely.

CheckMag Top fitness trackers offer an easy-to-use yet informative gateway to better health, seamlessly tracking workouts and guiding users towards healthier habits. Here's a look at the top four picks in 2024, each tailored to meet diverse needs and styles.

CheckMag 2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for video game releases. While some anticipated games have already been released, there are still several major titles expected later in the year without confirmed release dates. Here are our top four picks of the best games released so far in 2024 that are worth trying out.

CheckMag Nvidia’s 40-series graphics cards have had a bit of a rocky start to say the least. While the company has tried to make amends with the mid cycle refresh giving us some “Super” variants, where does that leave budget conscious gamers invested in Nvidia products?

CheckMag Google Clips wasn't a success, but with recent advancements, updated specs, and additional features, Google might want to bring this product back to the market.

CheckMag MSI was right to go to Intel for the Claw A1M, but the Core Ultra 7 155H isn't the right move. The Core Ultra 5 135H has a trick up its sleeve — a top-end iGPU combined with a more efficient mid-range CPU.

CheckMag The Mig Switch is real and it works. Or at least it does according to the YouTubers that have all received pre-release versions. While the Mig Switch is currently up for pre-order and hasn’t yet made it into the hands of the public at large, the big unanswered question about this device is whether it does anything else except pirate games.

CheckMag With many manufacturers releasing ample amounts of AM5 motherboards, it is quite the challenge to find the right one for your needs. Let’s explore five X670E motherboards that we think you should consider.

CheckMag Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices will give you remote access to all your files from any device both at home and away. Just add your drives and off you go, but they aren’t cheap. However there are some compelling software solutions that can turn any old PC and a few drives into a potent NAS which can compete with even the most expensive off the shelf solutions.

CheckMag The OnePlus 12R and the Google Pixel 7a are great options for those who want flagship features on a budget. However, one offers more value than the other.

CheckMag Precious gems are known to cause excitement mixed with affection. This article lists five anime gems, like Darwin's Game, that totally fall under that rule; they all boast meaningful plots, good-to-great music and well-developed characters.

Samsung's latest update to its Quick Share file-sharing service brings integration with Google's native Android Nearby Share. The update is now rolling out to a number of Samsung devices but it's not all good news.

CheckMag For those of us still holding Windows 7 close to our hearts, let's see if the OS is really worth holding on to by testing how well it copes with Web browsing, content creation, media playback and gaming.