Reviews

Megalomania? 17-inch chassis, 88-Watt CPU and GeForce GTX 980M: This is the One K73-5N in the high-end configuration. Read our review to find out whether this kind of performance makes sense and how the components affect the thermals.

Chromebook with Intel Inside. Boot up, log in and start working - the Chromebook makes life easy. Lenovo offers an Intel-based 11.6-inch Chromebook. This small, mobile device has a matte panel and long battery life.

Connected EU traveller. The HP 11 X360 is an entry-level 2-in-1 with a 3G roaming data bundle that could suit many European travellers. With a touchscreen and a solid build this bold laptop might be the perfect buddy for your ticket.

The red dragon. Xiaomi has become the third-largest smartphone manufacturer in the world, but the company's devices aren't yet prevalent in Europe or America. We took a look at the Redmi Note 4G phablet to see whether the imported Asian device is a good alternative to the usual options on the Western market.

All-around smart? Motorola puts its Moto 360 smart watch with leather band and classic design into the smart watch race -- and, at first glance, the Moto 360 makes a good first impression. Our report will check to see if this $249 USD gadget, in everyday use, holds up to this initial impression.

Black, stylish, fast. HP launches a very compact and thin 15.6-inch gaming notebook with the Omen, which has a very good design and attracts gamers with powerful core components. The price of 1,600 Euros (~$1793) comes with high expectations for the ergonomics and the performance, but not all of them can be fulfilled.

Inexpensive all-rounder. A Core i3 processor and GeForce 820M graphics core make the Asus laptop a versatile all-rounder that offers enough power for everyday use and playing the odd game. Could buying a device for around 450 Euros (~$505) be a mistake?

Timeless design, short on time. The Asus ZenWatch offers both an upscale design as well as high-end materials without the use of plastic. The smartwatch offers quite a few useful additional features as well. Although the battery capacity is not that generous, it lasts for at least a full day.

Desktop competition. A desktop processor in a 15-inch notebook, can it work? This is the question for the Schenker XMG U505. We review the high-end device with a GeForce GTX 970M and a 65-Watt CPU.

Surfboard. Acer's Iconia Tab 8 W is an 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablet available for around 150 Euros (~$169). The tablet features the same hardware as the competition: a bright IPS screen, a Bay Trail processor, 1 GB of working memory, and 32 GB of storage capacity. Does the Iconia have a unique selling point at all?

A well-rounded package. The new Trekstor tablet costs 199 Euros (~$225) and offers a full Windows 8.1 tablet experience with a one-year MS Office 365 Personal license. In contrast to most cheap Windows tablets, the Trekstor tablet is equipped with 2 GB of RAM.

Orange is the new black. Is the distinctive design and lucent orange color enough for the Chimera to stand out in the crowded mobile gaming space? We dig deeper to find that this is more than just a flashy chassis.

Twice as good? Like the first YotaPhone, the successor also features two screens. An AMOLED screen adorns the front, and an additional eInk screen is on the back. The Russian company has completely reworked the design and has also done many things better than in the precursor. However, the temperature development is still a problem.

New memorandum? Asus wants to make a statement and elevates its 8-inch tablet from the Memo Pad series to the status quo of the class. The Memo Pad 8 ME581Cl represents the top model of this group; its price sits just above $355. It includes an Intel Atom quad-core 64-bit SoC, 2 GB RAM, a bright Full HD IPS display, fast ac-WLAN as well as LTE and NFC. In brief: Here, the mix works.

You have grown! The Google Nexus 6 is manufactured by Motorola and follows Google's philosophy in terms of size at (almost) 6 inches. Our review reveals whether Google's device, which is not really a bargain anymore, can compete with the iPhone 6 Plus and other phablets.

Slimmed down. Toshiba is charging about 410 Euros (~$485) for their Satellite C50D-B-125, a simple office computer that runs on an AMD APU. Is the computer worth the cash, when comparable Bay Trail notebooks are available at considerably lower prices?

Windows midget. The display of the HP Stream 7 might only measures 7 inches, but the tablet still sports full-fledged Windows 8.1 with Bing. How useful is Windows considering the smallish display? We'll try to answer this and many other questions in the following review.

99 Euros (~$111) tablet. The I.onik Windows 8.1 tablet is available for less than 100 Euros (~$112). Is this a worthy investment?

Gold piece for gamers? The MSI GS60 is now available with a 4K display and Maxwell GPU, the current update uses the fast GeForce GTX 970M. Our review will show if everything is gold that glitters at the GS60.

Shaky candidate. When a Windows tablet provides sufficient performance, ports, input devices and storage capacity, why would you need a conventional notebook or even a desktop PC? Acer brings the advantages of a laptop to a tablet via keyboard dock including hard drive.

High-end class. Nvidia launches its new gaming model right at the beginning of the New Year. We already had the chance to check the performance of the GeForce GTX 965M. Is this the end of the GeForce GTX 860M?

Little business partner. Following the positive rating of Dell's Latitude E5450 product line, we tested the 12.5-inch Latitude E5250. However, it did not completely fulfill the high expectations.

Ultrabook Convertible. Dell’s Latitude 13 7350 is a mixture of an Ultrabook, a tablet and a convertible. The combination of silent operation, good keyboard and long battery runtimes make it a companion for business users.

Quality for little money? Asus wants to put the competition under pressure with affordable business laptops and equips its new 14-inch flagship with the currently fastest ULV processor, plenty of working memory, and a swift SSD to accomplish that. We will reveal why it is nevertheless not enough for first place in the category.

Surf for free. The HP Stream 8 is an 8-inch Windows tablet with an integrated 3G modem, currently on the market for 209 Euros (~$247). The tablet also comes with 200 MB of data usage every month for 2 years - without a contract. Is this an enticing offer?

Black, red, silver. MSI's slim gamer GS70 gets an update. The new generation is now equipped with the GeForce GTX 970M, and MSI has also thought of striking colors for the chassis. However, the fan noise and temperatures are striking as well – our review tells you why.

Construction graphics. The current workstation review is focused on AMD's FirePro M6100. It is a new component that is used in HP's mobile workstations for the first time and it is a nice alternative in the configurator. We tested how well it works in the updated HP ZBook 17 G2.

4k upgrade. The Aspire V15 Nitro is a thin computer with a high-performance processor and very good hardware. The device's highlight is its 4k IPS display. Has Acer created the gamer's dream notebook?

Model child. Sony's Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact has an 8-inch display that captivates with its high contrast and high resolution. A fast SoC in combination with Android 4.4 results in a great system performance and the battery runtimes are excellent. It is also waterproof and dust-resistant. There is hardly any criticism beyond the usual nitpicks.

For work and play. The successful 12.5-inch ThinkPad Yoga has now spawned a 14-inch model with dedicated GeForce graphics. Lenovo has engineered this convertible to adapt to any situation both at the office and at home. Can this versatile solution replace that old ThinkPad or aging family computer?

New generation. Are desktops and laptops becoming obsolete? Who still needs stationary PCs or classic laptops when the little Windows tablet offers enough computing power, interfaces, input devices, and storage?

Small chassis, big performance? After products with 11 and 14-inches, the gaming experts from Alienware now offer a 13-inch product. Our article tries to focus on the question of whether a dual-core is sufficient for the GeForce GTX 860M and the external amplifier.

Square, handy, good? BlackBerry doesn't give up the fight and launches an unusual smartphone in the market dubbed Passport. Its hardware keyboard and Android app support are to turn the tide. Find out in this report whether or not that might just succeed.

Beauty isn't everything. Toshiba's Satellite S50-B-12U features a classy aluminum design. The thin, lightweight notebook is available for 700 Euros (~$846), including a dedicated AMD graphics card. But appearance doesn't make the man -- or the notebook -- so is there more hidden within that beautiful exterior? Our review reveals the answer.

Netbook with IPS. This small Acer laptop has good battery life, an IPS panel and it runs silently. Windows 8.1 Professional (64-bit) hints towards the business uses of this model.

Gaming champion 2014. Asus now uses the GTX 980M as well and offers a very successful and extremely fast ROG gaming notebook in a reworked 17-inch chassis. MSI's GT72 2QE is one rival with even better specifications, but the top version is also 50% more expensive. Our test determines the winner in the clash of the titans.

A round bundle. The 13.3-inch size alongside a swift solid state drive and good battery life commends the ProBook 430 G2 as a portable companion. The laptop's screen proves to be its primary weakness.

Deceptive. Slim and good-looking business laptops are possible nowadays. The non-glare touchscreen of Fujitsu's Lifebook U574 is rare, though. Is it only smoke and mirrors or a solid business subnotebook that meets all fundamental criteria?

Sealed. Sony expands its M product line by another model. The M2 Aqua is technically on par with its sister model but is additionally dust and waterproof. The Android version has also been updated and is thus compatible with all Sony wearables.

Affordable all-rounder. HP's 17.3-inch laptop is available for as little as 560 Euros (~$683). The configuration includes a quad-core processor, matte Full HD screen, and a dedicated Radeon GPU. Doesn't that sound like a good deal?

Acer's All-in-One. Notebook, tablet or All-in-One PC, the Acer R13 meets almost all the requirements. Thanks to the new Ezel Aero Hinges, the device can be used in many operating modes and is also really fast with its two turbo SSDs in a RAID 0 configuration and Intel's i7 processor.

Great inexpensive solution. It's a $99 Chinese smartphone, yet it feels solid and performs more fluidly than its competition. The THL 4000 is made for those who want a cheap, reliable, and long-lasting Android phone without any hidden hardware issues or performance glitches.

Reliable. Reliability is regarded as the main focus of a business laptop. Fujitsu's Lifebook E544 lineup provides a total package for 700 Euros (~$854). Our test reveals whether the mix of hardware, input devices, and security standards are satisfactory, or whether they are even good.

Not without faults. The Lifebook E554 is primarily aimed at corporate customers. The price level ranging from 600 to 1000 Euros (~$716 to ~$1194) also might make it interesting for private users. We have the current top model of the line at hand. It wants to entice potential customers with plenty of computing power, an IPS screen, a solid state drive, a 3G modem, and a very good battery life.

Two are better than one. Lenovo only demands 550 Euros (~$669) for its extensively configured IdeaPad Z50-75, which not only features AMD's latest quad-core APU, but also plenty of storage and a total of two graphics chips. Just how well does the dual-graphics technology fare in real-world use?

Now with SSD. The Satellite offers everything that an all-round multimedia notebook should: Alongside a Core i7 processor, the device is equipped with a graphics core powerful enough to render games and a fast solid state drive. An IPS display with stable viewing angles also joins the ranks. But at almost 900 Euros (~$1100), this is no budget device.

Stuck in a rut. The Venue 11 Pro was conceived as a tablet for use in the business environment. Dell outfitted the device with a Full HD IPS display and made it easy to access the tablet's inner workings. A quick SSD and a Core i5 processor do the device credit on paper too. But all told, can the tablet win us over?

15-inch reference? The XMG P505 from Schenker Technologies is supposed to close the gap between big 17-inch systems (Asus G751, MSI GT72) and ultra-thin compact gamers like the Gigabyte P34G v2. We have already reviewed the configuration with the GTX 970M, now we have a closer look at the GTX 980M.

Upgrade or downgrade? HP's new G2-version of their 17-inch business and multimedia hybrid features updated hardware components. The new model comes with an i5-4210U CPU instead of the i5-4200M and a Radeon R5 M255 replaces the Radeon HD 8750M graphics card. The display panel differs as well. How the changes impact performance, battery life, and picture quality is the subject of our review.

Ride Across the USA. After Assassin's Creed Unity and Far Cry 4, Ubisoft is now launching its third large project at the end of 2014. The Crew appeals to freedom junkies and multiplayer enthusiasts alike with its free world concept. Can the game engine meet the expectations of its fans?

Piece of art. Awarded with a design prize, available for a low price as an entry-level device and also really comfortable in the hands: The 5-inch Asus Zenfone 5 checks many of the right boxes in our review and only reveals a few drawbacks.

Now in plastic as well. The One M8 was a very successful high-end device for HTC. Now, the Android device with a curved metal chassis is also available with a plastic case and high-resolution camera. We look at the changes and tell you if the One E8 is a real highlight as well.

Selfie show-off. HTC expands its product line around its One M8 flagship and now has a smartphone with high-performance hardware dubbed Desire EYE. It is primarily aimed at selfie fans in view of a high-resolution front-facing camera. The lens promises decent pics with 13 MP and a dual-LED flash, and it is in fact quite compelling. An IP certification rounds off the total package.

Problem? No Problem! A laptop has to be robust, secure, and always ready in industrial environments. Dell now presents its Latitude 14 Rugged 5454 in the Dell-Latitude-Rugged-Extreme lineup. It lacks the "Extreme" in its name, which leads to a drastically reduced price.

Full HD Premium. Acer attracts a lot of office users with its conservative, yet solid and powerful notebooks. Usually, the price-performance ratio is just right, but for this to be true for our test model, which uses the Intel Core i3-4005U and a Full HD display, the price would have to drop quite a lot.

All-rounder with gaming capabilities. Acer's new 17.3-inch notebook is designed for private as well as business users. A powerful Core i5 in combination with a fast GPU and good battery runtimes should be appealing for both customer groups.

Success. Intel's Bay Trail platform and Windows with Bing enable manufacturers to build cheaper and cheaper notebooks and tablets. Dell took advantage of these developments and just released an 8-inch Windows 8.1 tablet with a bright, high-contrast IPS display -- for just 160 to 180 Euros (~$199 to ~$224).

All-round entertainer. Being equipped with a Full HD screen and Dolby sound system, the 10-inch Android-based Acer Iconia Tab 10 A3-A20FHD is to ensure a breathtaking entertainment experience - according to the manufacturer. Our report reveals whether it is enough for this superlative.

Yoga-like entertainer. Lenovo’s Edge 15 notebook is a Best Buy exclusive with a sleek and sturdy aluminum build and some transformative properties that almost resemble the Yoga line of machines. It’s an interesting combination of features, but is it a practical addition to the lineup?

Maximum Flexibility. That's how Toshiba introduces a number of new convertibles on their German website. The series is supposed to merge the most important features of both notebooks and tablets into a single unit. If Toshiba succeeded we are going to determine during our review of the first model in the series, which retails for 400 Euro.

Little companion. Netbooks still have a purpose. A small, light, and portable Windows device does not have to be expensive. But what can the buyer expect for a price below 250 Euros (~$310)?

Performance alternative. HP reworked its workstation series and now offers some new features. We decided to equip the HP ZBook 15 G2 with the AMD FirePro M5100 and the high-resolution QHD+ display. We tested how well the two components suit the established working device.

GTX 980M SLI. The highly configurable Eurocom X7 returns as the X8 and instantly comes out on top on our usual benchmarks yet again. We take a closer look at this ultimate gaming machine from the Canadian reseller of the most powerful barebones available.

Business style. The business laptops of Dell's Latitude lineup are actually made for entrepreneurs. However, the slim Dell Latitude E5550 and its plastic casing also fit medium budgets. Our report clarifies whether the E5550 is just another office machine, or if it might just add a touch of elegance to the desk.

Yoga goes Windows. We're about to take a look at the Windows version of the ergonomic acrobat that is the Yoga 2. We've got a lot of questions: Did Lenovo equip this tablet with the same great IPS panel? How's the battery life compared to the Android model's? Are there any hardware updates? Read our review to find out what we discovered.

Well-equipped. Pony up 500 Euros (~$613) for this 15.6-inch device and you'll get an all-rounder capable of running some current video games. Thanks to its 1 TB hard drive, the storage space won't run out anytime soon.

Netbook, redefined. Asus sells a handy subnotebook based on Windows 8.1 Bing priced at 219 Euros (~$269). Just how much netbook can customers expect at this low price? Asus speaks of elegance, premium-feel, performance, 12 hours of browsing, and vivid colors. A one-year license for Office 365 is also included.

Surprise from the second row. Asus wants to attack the established business competition with its new 12.5-inch subnotebook. The AsusPro BU201LA can not only impress with its great Full HD display, but also with an excellent keyboard and a solid build quality – and all that for a surprisingly low price. What is the catch?

Iris on-board. Long battery life, matte FHD screen, fast SSD and a decent keyboard make the Aspire V3-371-38ZG a good laptop. Does this model have any weaknesses?

Fan-less. HP's 15.6-inch convertible wants to score with an energy-efficient processor from Intel's new Broadwell lineup, which enables a fan-less design in the Envy. A Full HD, IPS screen and good battery life are also part of the bundle.

Third Installment. The second game focused on action and provided gamers immense enjoyment. Now BioWare is making the move to reconsolidate its Dragon Age fans. Our article will focus on the performance of the Frostbite 3 Engine. Will every gamer be able to joy the world of Inquisition?

Netbook alternative? HP includes a dockable keyboard for its Pavilion so that it can be used for more than just a media and browsing station. An economic quad-core processor provides the necessary computing power, and the battery life is also decent. HP demands about 250 Euros (~$309) for the device.

Netbook, redefined. Asus sells a handy subnotebook with Windows 8.1 Bing for 219 Euros (~$272). So how much netbook do customers get for so little money? Asus refers to elegance, premium experience, performance, 12 hours of web surfing, and vibrant colors. In addition, a one-year license for Office 365 is included. Is this all too good to be true?

Expand your Horizon. The 19.5-inch Horizon 2s is Lenovo's follow-up to the 21.5-inch Horizon 2e "2-in-1 tabletop PC". The new model comes with a smaller fold-out kickstand and is much slimmer and lighter than its larger sibling. How the new AIO compares is the subject of our review.

Call to Freedom. The Ubisoft recipe has changed little for the long-awaited sequel, Far Cry 4, as the game is composed primarily of action, exploration and foraging. We tested the performance of the Kyrat special edition on various laptops and have summarized our findings in this review.

Pro as in projector? Lenovo shows its innovative side: The Yoga Tablet 2 Pro can be hung up on a wall, has an integrated subwoofer, and even a projector is installed. At a first glance, that is enough to provide a "wow" factor - but we will check whether the rest of the tablet is just as awesome.

Red temptation. The Pavilion 13 would like to spare buyers the necessity of choosing between tablet and notebook experience by combining both worlds. It is driven by an AMD APU. In addition, it delivers good battery life and plenty of storage space.

Decent computer, good price. HP demands 369 Euros (~$458) for its 355 G2. The buyer gets an office laptop with two operating systems (Windows 7 Pro (64-bit), Windows 8 Pro (64-bit)), a quad-core processor, and a dedicated Radeon graphics core for the money. Can buying a laptop for this price be a mistake?

Performance goes up, energy consumption goes down? After a several-month delay, Intel has finally released the fifth incarnation of their "Core" architecture, codenamed Broadwell. It's even coming on the market this year -- at least in a few machines. Initially, the new, extremely low-energy Core M series will only be used in the improved 14 nm manufacturing process. Is it a dream come true? Can we now expect to see high-performance, passively cooled Windows tablets?

Symbiosis. A powerful notebook does not have to be bulky and loud if it can also be dignified, subtle and quiet. Why pretentious and not understated? Asus thinks it knows what wealthy customers want and creates an Ultrabook that combines performance and elegance in a simple yet sophisticated chassis. Can this symbiosis really set new records in every category, just as Asus promises?

Time is money. Dell's new Latitude E5450 that is designed to make work efficient and be performance-enhancing has now been introduced to the business world. Will the professional domain benefit from its mobility, security, and power?

Dazzler. The concept of the Galaxy Note, a high-end smartphone with a digitizer, is still unique and well implemented by Samsung. But the device cannot utilize the promised additional performance of the Snapdragon 805. However, the Note 4 probably has the best smartphone display, which shines bright and can also convince outdoors.

Classy low-cost gadget. HP14’s exterior gives a premium-line impression. However, the price of just 350 Euros (~$435) suggests that the performance reserves will not be able to meet any special requirements. Is it a good compromise or are the looks deceiving?

Alluring. Asus aims at tech enthusiasts with its new 15-inch Zenbook generation. The flat aluminum unibody houses a standard-voltage i7 processor paired with an upper middle-class Nvidia graphics card. The highlight of this model seems to be the 4K panel. It offers high resolutions, great colors, high contrast and wide viewing angles. Is this the winner?

Cutting corners. A new day, a new notebook with Bing Windows. This low-price model has no fan and offers good battery life. On the inside, not surprisingly, the laptop has an Intel Bay Trail CPU.

You've got the power. We provide some more benchmarks and comparison numbers for our second look at the MSI GT72 with GTX 980M graphics. In short: This is performance that rivals a system with GTX 780M SLI graphics.

Agonizing. Lenovo will not win any awards with the abysmal performance of the new AMD E-6010 dual-core and the integrated R2 graphics. But then, its price is cheap. To what extent the office snail exhausted the tester's patience, and whether multimedia and gaming is even remotely possible is revealed in our report.

A netbook with Bing. The S20-30 was designed to be a little, mobile machine for writing and surfing. For around 250 Euros (~$309), you'll get a quiet netbook with a matte screen and Windows 8.1. The battery life is good, too.

Fun or an imposition? Assassin's Creed Unity is yet another entry in the never-ending list of unfinished games. High demands on the hardware combined with technical bugs are a constant source of aggravation. We'll try to determine just how powerful a notebook has to be to handle this game.

Candy lickin' good. The 64-bit version of Android 4.0 Lollipop and the matching 64-bit processor from Nvidia are certainly the big debuts in the Nexus 9. However, the new architecture apparently has some pitfalls and did not run quite smoothly in the test. Otherwise, we missed the attention to detail in HTC's tablet, which could, however, still score with a good performance and decent battery life.

Stable base. The Acer CB3-111 is one of the cheapest laptops available and it does a good job of being clean, stable and efficient within 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. It runs ChromeOS and might be suitable for you. Read on for more details, performance and comparison.

Cool deal. The LG L Fino is a compact entry-level smartphone with a 4.5-inch display, Qualcomm quad-core SOC, as well as UMTS and NFC. For around 160 Euro (~$200) MSRP, the phone comes nicely equipped. We subject the LG L Fino to our battery of tests to get an idea of the performance.

Ergonomic acrobat. This tablet can literally be hung up on a nail. The most striking feature of the new, affordable Yoga scion is undoubtedly its flexible stand that proved extremely handy in the test, although it also increases the weight. Our report will, of course, closely examine the technical aspects, screen, connectivity, and battery life.

Slim and powerful. The current trend towards slim notebook cases also continues with MSI's current workstation lineup. A decent performance combined with a mobile and light case results in an interesting combination that should not be interesting for just professional users. We checked if and for whom the package works.

Broadwell, the second. Following the Yoga 3, HP's Envy x2 is one of the first devices on the market that is based on Intel's new Broadwell technology. HP has created a convertible with multimedia mannerisms, not least due to the installed Beats Audio speakers. Our test will uncover other talents of the Envy x2.

Work computer. A matte screen, good battery life, a comfortable keyboard, maintenance hatches and an unoccupied mSATA slot -- clearly, HP wants to stake their claim on the market for inexpensive office devices. With their 350-G1 line, they may very well have succeeded.

Beefed up. The L-series is the affordable entry into the world of ThinkPads. It offers typing comfort, many interfaces including a docking port, and a rigid, timeless chassis. Lenovo now ships the classic with an SSD and HD+ screen. Will that make the L440 the ultimate laptop among the budget-priced pro-books?

A sharp edge. The term "edge-to-edge" has now become a common marketing ploy to advertise most any portable with a display, but Sharp have taken the term one step further. We find out why the Aquos Crystal is the 2015 CES Innovation Awards Honoree with a closer look at its striking and alluring design.

We love? The Memo Pad 8 from Asus is also available as “Pro Sieben Entertainment Pad”. In cooperation with the media group, the buyer supposedly gets a "100 Euros (~$125) Entertainment Voucher". Read our review to find out what this means and if the device is any good.

The gentle giant. Huawei's Ascend G7 towers over many other smartphones with its 5.5-inch screen. In our tests we will clarify whether its performance and build are also outstanding in view of the affordable 299 Euros (~$372).