Reviews

Back in style... for a price. The Vaio convertible has returned to North America with a starting price tag much higher than other Ultrabooks currently in the market. What does the Flip have under the hood to justify its nearly two-fold MSRP?

Well-balanced. Thanks to a quad-hinge design, which allows the display to swivel into several different positions, the Aspire R13 supports a variety of usage modes. The hardware is noteworthy as well: Core i7 CPU, WQHD display, and Thunderbolt 3 port.

Also a success with the base specs? After the high-end version of the ThinkPad T460s could already convince us, we now have a look at the base configuration. The Full HD panel in particular, however, cannot fulfill the high expectations.

Promotion. Dell improves the performance and stamina of the new Latitude 5000 models and creates a successful working device for the business world. Thanks to exemplary battery runtimes, the new Latitude will even survive long business days.

Mainstream update. The affordable ROG GL series gets Skylake, DDR4, USB Type-C, and other small changes to bring it up to speed. We check out the updated model and its performance gains with an overclocked GPU from Xotic PC.

Sets standards! The Galaxy S7 Edge is certainly not a bundle of groundbreaking innovations, but it fuses state-of-the-art premium technology in its casing and is presently rightly considered as the reference model of its class. However, there are some points of criticism and we would have wished Samsung had been a bit more intrepid in some points.

The subtle differences. At a first glance, Acer's One 10 and the Aspire Switch 10E that we tested quite a while ago seem to be very similar. A closer look, however, reveals several (mostly sensible) modifications - but changing to a newer processor architecture is not one of them.

Low-cost Surface alternative. The old Surface Pro 3's screen, aluminum casing, up-to-date Atom and Windows 10 for an affordable price of 232 Euros (~$259) sound tempting. Read where Chuwi had to make cutbacks in the following test report.

Highly polished. With "Need for Speed", publisher EA relaunches their successful racing series. The arcade-style racing game might lack substance, but the technology behind it is top notch. Our review takes a look at how different noteboook GPUs cope with the title. Update: we've added additional notebook and desktop benchmarks for the 940MX, Fury Pro, R7 370, ...

Outdated? Lenovo’s new ThinkPad P50s is the successor to the ThinkPad W550s. Despite the compact dimensions, users of the mobile workstation are supposed to get sufficient performance. Similar to the predecessor, however, the system lacks a bit of CPU performance, and now there is also a strong competitor from Lenovo themselves.

Virtuous office worker. Acer presents a sturdy 17-inch laptop in the form of the Aspire E5-722. As a low-cost office device, it does many things right. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a system based entirely on AMD components?

Well-conceived. The Pro version of Lenovo's 10-inch Yoga tablet is in a completely different price range than its smaller members. This is also noticed in all areas, starting with the casing over the screen, the integrated projector - even the accessories are higher quality. Moreover, the good battery life makes the device a really decent tablet.

Bad display choice? Lenovo's 11.6-inch convertible fails to impress in any given area - but it stands out in a negative way with its TN panel and limited viewing angle stability.

Premium with a silver arrow look? The latest ASUS N52VX lineup relies on high-quality built casings with nice highlights. We will clarify what has changed compared with the predecessor, and in which performance category the classy Asus laptop is placed in our in-depth review of the Asus N752VX-GC131T.

Tough. According to Motorola, the Moto X is the very first smartphone in the world to have an unbreakable screen. However, our test shows that the 5.4-inch handset not only comes with a decent amount of resistance, but it also convinces with plenty of other first-rate configuration features.

A success. Schenker's S306 is a slim 13.3-inch subnotebook that shouldn't have any problems finding an audience. The S306 is equipped with a beautiful IPS Full-HD display, a good keyboard and it's easy to maintain as well. The battery life could be better, however.

iPad Mini clone. The Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi launches a 7.9-inch tablet dubbed MiPad 2 on the market that is a carbon copy of Apple's iPad Mini. Unlike its Cupertino twin, the MiPad 2 is powered by Google's Android operating system and is relatively affordable. It has quite a lot to offer for its price...

High-end phone for a mainstream price. The Mi 4s makes a strong case for spending $300 USD on a new smartphone instead of $600 or $700 for a top-of-the-line model. Find out how the Xiaomi compares to both mainstream and flagship competitors.

No IPS after all. There is still some confusion about the panel of the latest ROG device on the Internet. Many potential buyers expect an IPS panel, but the series is actually only available with TN displays. Our review will show whether this is a problem for the otherwise suitable multimedia notebook with gaming ambitions.

Debut of DirectX 12. Windows 10 launched with full DX12 support and Hitman - as one of the first titles released for the PC platform - supports it. Instead of improving the gaming experience, the new interface seems to be the source of frustration on quite a few systems. Here's our report, complete with the benchmark results.

Exploring new worlds? Exploring new worlds? Faster SoC, larger battery, better camera, premium display, and great design. The S-class from Samsung signifies excellence and our expectations are accordingly high. Usually these are also fulfilled, but the Galaxy S7 has some weaknesses.

Everything but battery mode, please. A successful build and configuration are omnipresent. Compared with its predecessor, the casing looks slimmer and that is a positive. Quad-core, GeForce GTX 950M graphics card and 8 GB of DDR4 working memory lead us to hope for a gaming-suitable multimedia all-rounder.

4K Nitro. The latest premium model from the Aspire VN7-592G lineup boasts with its configuration: Razor-sharp 4K panel, 16 GB of RAM, SSD + HDD. With a price of almost 1900 Euros (~$2146), it is not made for everyone. Positive: Despite maximum hardware equipment, the battery life has improved compared with the former model.

Longer lasting. Lenovo's ThinkPad L460 does not offer many new features. The Skylake processors provide a bit more computing power, and the L440 clearly has a longer battery life. Unfortunately, Lenovo does not install a docking port in the L460 models furnished with AMD graphics cards.

Trendsetter? "The Division" combines both action and role-playing elements into a thrilling online / multiplayer experience. Does the game's technology make the competition look old as well?

Big screen, affordable price. The MSI GT72 may be the flagship model, but there are plenty of mainstream options from the same manufacturer. We check out the new GL72 starting for just under $1000 USD with GTX 960M graphics to see how it compares in the budget gaming market.

Premium allrounder, light edition. Not long ago, we reviewed the Acer Aspire V5-591G-71K2. That notebook - equipped with a modern Intel quad-core CPU and a GeForce GTX 950M - particularly impressed us with its performance. How does the sibling with slightly less powerful hardware components and a lower price fare in comparison?

Pressure sensitive. ZTE's Axon Mini Premium Edition has a total of three methods for unlocking the screen: Force Touch, fingerprint reader and iris scanner - and that in the upper mid-range! The configuration is impressive and everyday performance is good. However, it has some shortcomings.

Eye-catcher. Lenovo's new 13.3-inch subnotebook attracts attention not only with technical highlights such as a current Intel Skylake processor, but also with its red casing. Our test reveals whether the IdeaPad 500S is a practical everyday companion beyond that.

On the way to perfection? Lenovo's T460s is proof that even an excellent notebook like the T450s can be improved. No device from the T4x0s series was ever so light and at the same time so powerful – but users will have to waive expandability and maintainability in return.

Small typewriter. Lenovo's new 12.5-inch ThinkPad X260 mobilizes the office and convinces in many regards. Still, it cannot manage to secure the top spot for business subnotebooks, despite the good concept.

Pushing its luck? Lenovo has presented us a 14-inch lightweight laptop, that aims to be an ultra-mobile high-end device with a ULV Core i7 and GeForce 940M. On the whole, the plan proves to be successful - however, the display does not meet this claim at all.

Direct metal. Huawei's direct marketing brand Honor is always good for a bargain. We have the Honor 5X with a metal body and high-quality cameras in our lab this time. Let us see whether the smartphone's details are also convincing.

Slim and classy. The Zenbook's special feature is its high-resolution QHD+ panel (3200x1800 pixels). It provides a razor-sharp image, but its contrast is weak. Everything is in line beyond that: Fast SSD, long battery life, decent keyboard. However, the buyer will have to accept occasional CPU whining.

Looking for more performance? After one-year of abstinence, Lenovo once again offers a powerful device without ULV hardware within its premium lineup. Thanks to fast processors and optional discreet GPU, the T460p is supposed to fill the gap between normal T-series and mobile workstations, but the cooling in particular is a minor issue.

Affordable, portable, professional… The HP ZBook 15u G3 brings us a thin-and-light mobile workstation with capable specs, all within the realm of affordability. But is it a workstation, or is it an Ultrabook… or is it a little bit of both?

We had the chance to test the new GeForce 940MX inside a pre-sample of the MSI CX72 notebook. We use the following article to compare it with the old GeForce 940M, show numerous benchmarks and check what games can be smoothly played with the DDR3 version of the 940MX.

Top Dog performance. We check out DogHouse Systems performance gaming notebook in the highly competitive 17-inch DTR space. This Clevo-based system brings everything we've come to expect from the barebones manufacturer.

Slow leader. With the Lumia 950 and its sister model Lumia 950 XL, Microsoft has renewed its Windows Phone flagship models. They are powered by the latest Windows 10 OS. The appearance is restrained, but the equipment is worthy of a top model. Our review explains why this is not enough for a place up front in our top list.

Average Joe? The Toshiba Satellite C55-C is an entry-level notebook designed for word processing and multimedia tasks. The spec sheet lacks any real highlights - but maybe there are hidden surprises we have yet to discover?

Grainy. Besides well-known Chinese manufacturers like Huawei or Lenovo, the company Coolpad now launches its first smartphone on the German market: the Modena. Find out in our review whether looking at the device is worthwhile and what it features in our review.

Don't expect too much! Lenovo's Yoga 500 is another 2-in-1 convertible with a 14-inch screen on the market. It is supposed to continue the success of the Yoga series from last year. The Lenovo Yoga 500 is equipped with a Skylake Intel Core i5, and there are also configurations with a GeForce 920M GPU.

There is strength in tranquility. The Zenbook UX303 series has been available since 2014 and Asus now ships the devices with Skylake processors from Intel. Our review unit with an i7 CPU can score with quiet operation and low temperatures, but can the performance convince as well?

Stone Age with modern technology. While the fourth iteration was placed in an imaginary region somewhere close to the Himalayas, “Far Cry Primal” jumps back more than 10000 years. We checked the hardware requirements for surviving in the wilderness.

Disappointing. It has been a while since we have had a laptop based on a dual graphics solution by AMD. However, Lenovo seemingly does everything to let the IdeaPad look as bad as possible in our tests.

Feels good. The special feature of the former model was its aluminum unibody casing. Samsung now uses more glass in the new iteration. The screen of the mid-range smartphone has also been modified: It has a higher resolution while providing more space at the same time. An overall successful design?

Solid office notebook. The F516 Flex from Schenker Technologies is a configurable office notebook. Besides a 15.6-inch IPS display, it uses desktop processors, which can be easily replaced if necessary.

Hot laptop. Gigabyte refreshes its thin 17.3-inch gaming notebook and equips it with a modern Skylake CPU. The cooling does, however, have problems with the fast components and the processor in particular warms up quite a bit.

Faster, higher, stronger? Lenovo's new ThinkPad T560 convinces with a wide viewing angle IPS display and promises more performance and longer battery runtimes thanks to the Skylake platform. However, the other changes of the 15-inch device are very subtle – is it still enough for the victory in its class?

Without competition. It is certainly powerful and does not make any compromises in terms of performance, and now even with a surprisingly good runtime of 10 hours. The Book easily beats the competition. But: Surface Pro 4 Core i7 and the i5 sibling are in the same ballpark – except for the runtime, which is a surprise.

4K UHD update. The recently released Spectre x360 15 is available in FHD and UHD display options. Are those smaller pixels really worth the extra cost? We compare the two models to see what drawbacks and benefits one may have over the other.

Robust. HP's tablet is designed for use in educational institutions. It is accordingly robust. The equipment is also in line with the intended purpose: A bright, high-contrast IPS screen and 3G modem are installed.

No frills. Visually, the G50 doesn't stray from the typical look we've come to expect from Lenovo. The internal components are solid and while the notebook isn't what we'd call a highlight, it's a very decent package overall.

Windows 10 onboard. Microsoft sees its affordable (and with Windows 10) Lumia 550 positioned in the low-cost sector of around 100 Euros (~$109). However, the smartphone does not really stand out, and the operating system doesn't run smoothly, either.

Long lasting. A Skylake processor implies higher performance in the Zenbook UX305 without negative impact on the battery runtimes. The fast SSD, Full HD display and good keyboard remain unchanged.

Upgraded mid-range. Just one year after the first Galaxy A5 generation, Samsung introduces the successor. Updates are found in screen, wireless module as well as the SoC. However, the performance still proves to be a minor shortcoming.

Business hybrid. HP's 12.5-inch detachable is designed primarily for business users. It is designed to be tablet and notebook in one device, and it actually works pretty well. However, you will not get the latest components. The device has been available since the summer of 2014 and has not been updated.

Extra sharp. Razer has honed its ultra-thin design philosophy even further to provide the sleekest 12.5-inch Ultrabook yet for just under $1000 USD. It's a genuinely compact notebook from a gaming-centric company that even non-gamers will want to consider purchasing.

Hot and wireless phone. Gigaset is coming from the world of DECT telephones and now wants to enter the smartphone market. The Gigaset ME is a successful first attempt thanks to the noble design and high-quality features.

Interesting. An 8-inch Windows tablet that is furnished with Windows 8.1 and a Bay Trail processor is no longer awe-inspiring in 2016. Particularly since the device is aimed at professional users. Nevertheless, the tablet is compelling. Not least thanks to its good battery life and the integrated 3G modem plus a monthly data volume.

Well-equipped. Toshiba’s multimedia all-rounder Satellite L50-C-275 is priced at just under 750 Euros (~$826). Considering its good features and properties (including a Full HD IPS display, a fast SSD, good battery runtimes and GeForce graphics), the price is fair.

Skylake upgrade. The Zenbook still manages decent battery runtimes even with Skylake innards. However, that involves making compromises compared with the Broadwell models. The poor screen will not win any awards.

Well-rounded. With the XMG A516, Schenker Technologies extends their gaming portfolio with a compact 15-inch notebook. The 2016 edition of the GeForce GTX 965M GPU promises enough performance for current titles at Full-HD resolution. Our review examines the other aspects of the new notebook as well.

Maxed out. Our latest XPS 13 is equipped to the brim with a 3200x1800 resolution touchscreen, Core i7-6560U CPU, Iris Graphics 540, and a 512 GB NVMe SSD. Is this higher cost SKU worth the extra horsepower?

DDR3 or GDDR5? Nvidia's GTX 950M is available in two different memory configurations. We compare the performance of the DDR3 and GDDR5 version.

Marathon runner. There are many powerful gaming notebooks, but only a few provide long battery runtimes. The third revision of the Alienware 17 turns out to be surprisingly enduring.

Entertainer. Lenovo touts its 10-inch Yoga Tab 3 10 Android-based tablet as a first-rate video tablet and treats it to an interesting configuration. Among other things, we find an integrated kickstand and Dolby Atmos sound system.

Enduring. There are no obvious performance gains in Gigabyte's gaming laptop when compared with the predecessor. However, the new Skylake processor leads to a considerably better battery life. Furthermore, a fast NVMe SSD is also on board.

Windows 10 @Bay Trail. Lenovo demands an exorbitant 350 Euros (~$389) for the IdeaPad Miix 300-10IBY that was kindly provided to us. That is a lot of money for an older CPU and middling battery life. However, some lower-priced models also exist.

Long-lasting. The Aspire is a compact, 13.3-inch subnotebook. The laptop's distinguishing features are its low price of approximately 350 Euros (~$388) and its long battery life. However, the laptop's fan can get annoying.

All-rounder. Toshiba combines a Skylake processor with a GeForce GTX 950M graphics core and completes the bundle with a Full HD IPS display and the multimedia all-rounder for home use is ready. However, the computer has some weaknesses despite a price of just fewer than 1000 Euros (~$1113).

Gaming with Skylake. MSI has updated its GS60 by equipping it with a new Skylake processor. But this is not the only new feature of the new model. However, the drawbacks of the old model are still issues in the current gaming companion.

Fast and enduring. Huawei wants to enter the high-end competition with a 6-inch display and a brand-new SoC. We put the Mate 8 through our lab tests to see if this is a success.

15-inch convertible done right. Smaller convertibles like the Yoga 900 tend to work very well due to the lighter and more portable form factor. Scaling up to a 15-inch screen size has proven difficult, but HP is the first to hit it out of the park.

Too thin? The mobile workstation WS60 from MSI offers very powerful components in a slim chassis, but the mobility suffers from poor battery runtimes. Are there more compromises you have to make for the compact design?

Cheap Chinese tablet. The latest Atom x5-8300, Windows 10 and an IPS touchscreen for below 100 Euros (~$111)? Find out for whom this low-cost combination is suitable, and what restrictions have to be accepted in the following report.

Average. Lenovo's small Netbook features a matte display and works silently. However, the battery life is only average for an 11.6-inch computer.

Colorful. Once again, the second generation of HP's new Stream 13 stands out from the masses with its colors. It is a kind of Windows alternative to inexpensive Chromebooks. The very solid overall concept is, however, affected by some minor flaws.

This looks familiar… Gigabyte hasn’t wasted any time reworking their P35X, now suffixed with “v5” so as to indicate that this is merely an iterative update. Given that, can the conservative revisions to the $2,300 P35X v5 preserve its relevance in the gaming market?

Little jack-of-all-trades. Toshiba's new Satellite Radius 12 can be used as both a tablet and a laptop. High-performance hardware meets high-quality casing materials, and a 4K screen rounds off the bundle. However, we would have expected more in some aspects in view of the high price.

Just one more round, honey. While XCOM 2's gameplay has been received with great enthusiasm, XCOM 2's graphics currently leave something to be desired. Read on to find out which laptop GPUs will enable players to effectively wipe the aliens off the face of the Earth.

Braswell Office. With the Acer Aspire ES1-731 you will get a simple 17.3-inch office notebook. It works quietly, requires little energy and delivers a decent keyboard.

The hunt continues. The Predator 17 is the second device from Acer's new gaming series. Despite the bulky chassis, the cooling solution cannot completely convince us.

Technical twin. The configuration of LG's V10 reminds us strongly of the G4. The South Korean company has equipped the handset with a second screen and an additional front-facing lens. Discover whether the surcharge is justified in this report.

Finally on its feet. After a series of software issues, we decided to check up once again on a different SKU of the XPS 15 to see if those problematic areas have been patched up. The results are outstanding.

Lack of endurance. Lenovo's 13.3-inch subnotebook attracts with its good connectivity. However, the battery life is, unfortunately, just middling.

Notebook ambitions. Powerful SoC, good display, a brand-new Android 6.0 and even an optional keyboard: The 10.2-inch Google Pixel C wants to compete with high-end tablets and it can actually leave a very good impression in our review.

Overpriced. The Aspire cannot boast with exceedingly high computing power. Then again, it pleases with a very low operating noise and decent keyboard. However, Acer demands the ridiculous price of 500 Euros (~$557) for the laptop.

Big battery. While focus is placed on a thin-as-possible line in many other smartphones, ZTE's Blade A456 sacrifices that for a relatively generously sized 4000 mAh battery. Our report reveals whether that also ensures a long battery life.

Low-cost Core i3. Laptops from the low-cost sector are mostly equipped with Braswell processors or AMD APUs nowadays. Neither of these is the strongest of their kind. Lenovo has taken a different approach and installed a Core i3 processor from the Broadwell generation in its IdeaPad.

Now with Thunderbolt 3. The Aspire R13's main distinguishing factor is the quad-hinge design, which allows for several different display positions and hence operating modes. Even sans those hinges, the Aspire would still appeal, as it does well in almost all categories. Along with an update to the Skylake-generation of processors, the new model now also contains a Thunderbolt 3 port.

Precision landing. After several rather poor PC ports (Batman Arkham Knight, Just Cause 3, Call of Duty Black Ops 3, etc.), the latest iteration of Tomb Raider finally leaves a better impression on the PC. We tested the action title on multiple notebook GPUs and checked the performance. Update: GT630M, HD 4000, M385X, Iris Pro 5200, 920M, M280X, Kaveri R7 added.

Skylake all-rounder. The popular UX501 series gets Skylake, DDR4, USB Type-C with Thunderbolt 2.0, and a few other minor changes. Is this a vast improvement over last year's Haswell model?

Badly designed. Even though it might not be the fault of the processor manufacturer, AMD-based notebooks do not have the best reputation. The reviewed model of the new Lenovo Y700 confirms this statement. The alleged gaming notebook is hardly suitable for gaming, although the performance should be sufficient in theory.

Predetermined breaking point. Does the Yoga 260 follow in the footsteps of the ThinkPad X250? Is it the better ThinkPad subnotebook thanks to its various modes? Lenovo provides reasons for criticism. This is surprising and unexpected in view of the otherwise apparently 100% well-conceived ThinkPad.

Also a success with 15 inches? Following our review of the ThinkPad P70, we have a look at the smaller ThinkPad P50 from Lenovo. The two devices are very similar in many respects, but there are also important differences. Those include the display as well as the more complex maintenance, but also the longer battery runtimes. Our review unit also has a problem with the Turbo Boost most of the time.

Desk worker. Lenovo's G70-80 is an inexpensive office device for your desk. The notebook does not set any performance records, but it is sufficient in practice. There are no major complaints for a price of 400 Euros (~$435).

All-in-one PC? We are not talking about a heavy laptop here, but rather an 850 gram (~1.9 lb) tablet that aims to emulate a full-sized PC with its fold-out stand and sleeve keyboard. Two Type C ports herald the start of the new generation of cabling. But just how can a flat-screen be connected?

Fifth time's the charm. The latest 14-inch refresh comes new with Skylake, DDR4, HDMI 2.0, USB Type-C, and a WQHD display option. Are these updates major enough to get users over the fence?

Right down to business. Just last week, we evaluated HP’s new 745 G3 update with WQHD IPS screen and Windows 7 preinstalled. Today’s configuration features a lower-end 1080p panel, but it’s also correspondingly more affordable. How does it hold up against the bevy of available business choices?