Reviews

Businessman's delight? Fujitsu launches a heavily armed machine dubbed Lifebook E754: matte Full HD screen, Haswell quad-core processor, a swift Samsung SSD, and an LTE modem. Good battery runtimes round off the bundle. Our report uncovers whether Fujitsu has designed the ideal business laptop.

Beautiful without frills. Acer now offers a premium business notebook with the TravelMate P645. We check if the new Ultrabook flagship can compete with the premium devices from the competition.

A-game? Lenovo updates their budget-friendly A-series of tablets with quad-core processors and Google's latest Android OS. Is the new 8-inch Tab A8 a step up from the previous generation or are the stalwarts in the class a better choice despite their higher prices?

Battalion power. Aside from the MSI-based Valkyrie series, the iBuyPower Battalion series is a less expensive alternative based on Clevo barebones. We take this $1000 gamer for a spin to see if it is worth the entry-level price.

It's got the beat. Sony's Xperia E1 is a Walkman with many settings options. It comes in a flashy plastic casing, a 4-inch TFT screen, and an entry-level SoC from Qualcomm besides 4 GB of flash memory. An included headset reinforces the portable jukebox claim. The price of 129 Euros (~$174) matches the available power.

Flat companion. Flat gaming is popular. No, we don't mean 2D games, but thin gaming notebooks like the MSI GS60. The 15.6-inch device is supposed to provide excellent mobility with a height of almost 2 centimeters and powerful hardware. Our review shows you why this is going to be a hot ride.

Gaming to go. Haswell CPU and Maxwell graphics card make it possible: The UX32LN combines the performance of a fast multimedia laptop with the mobility and elegance of an Ultrabook. Equipped with a great IPS display and opulent storage equipment you get a convincing package, which is actually available for a reasonable price.

Design dwarf. LG expands its L-product line downward, and adds the tiny L40 with a 3.5-inch IPS screen and dual-core SoC from Qualcomm. A long-lasting, removable battery and Android 4.4.2 are just as available as a MicroSD slot - and all that for below 100 Euros (~$135). A strong overall bundle with minor restrictions.

Colorful austerity measure. Microsoft needs affordable smartphones to bring its Windows Phone 8.1 operating system to the people. Nokia's Lumia 630 with a swappable cover, smooth operation, and microSD reader wants to score with a price below 200 Euros (~$271). However, our report reveals that Nokia has cut several corners.

More please. HTC shakes up the smartphone middle-class with their Desire 610. The smartphone is equipped with a 4.7-inch qHD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Quadcore-SoC with an Adreno 305 GPU, 1 GB RAM, and 8 GB of flash storage - all for 299 Euro ($405). The HTC Sense 6.0 user interface spruces up Android 4.4 KitKat, while LTE allows for fast data transfers. So is this a really well-executed smartphone for little money?

Faster, higher, longer. Lenovo took our criticism of the predecessor and equips the new Yoga Tablet 10 HD+ with a higher-resolution panel as well as more performance. But are there still WLAN problems and are the battery runtimes still impressive?

More pixels. After the WXGA version of the ThinkPad X240 showed its qualities in our review, we now have a look at the high-end version with a Full HD display. But are the additional pixels really worth the premium price?

Powerful contender. The HTC Desire 816 is a large smartphone with a lot of performance. Its 5.5-inch format allows it to poach buyers from the high-end class, despite entering the race as a middle-class device.

Dignified. Laptops featuring strong graphics are a dime a dozen. However, only a few sport a matte IPS screen, first-rate subwoofer sound, and a quality aluminum chassis. Does Asus have what it takes for the championship in the multimedia sector?

Any Wishes? The HP ProBook offers all features a modern business laptop should offer: matte Full HD screen, SSD, docking port, TPM and 3G modem. In this update, we will check whether the model can deliver on its promises.

Melting prices. It's summer time and Motorola is cutting prices. After the huge success of the Moto G - not only review-wise, but also customer-wise - the Moto E offers quite a lot for even less. But even though it manages to impress on a first glance in terms of specs and pricing, it still has to stand up to the scrutiny of our in-depth review.

Model with flaws. Thin, elegant, noble – and expensive. The latest Ultrabook from Samsung's popular ATIV 9-series has high ambitions and cannot only convince with its design. Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks as well that prevent a very good rating, although the most annoying issue could be solved with a simple update.

From 10 to 30 within a year. After the Z10's launch, the Canadian manufacturer takes a shot with its new Z30 model. BlackBerry uses hardware and software from the same source - thus meeting the demands on both is all the more difficult a task.

All that glitters...This Asus model uses a Maxwell GPU from Nvidia and a Haswell Core i7 from Intel. A strong duo which is capable of running modern games. The laptop even boasts a Full HD panel and seems to be the optimal package. Is that really true? Let us find out in an in-depth review.

Good and affordable? MSI has a 17-inch all-around laptop available that is aimed at multimedia fans and casual gamers. Read to what extent the GeForce 840M lags behind the more expensive models in this report. Is the GP70 worth its money?

Detachable Convertible. Dell’s Venue 11 Pro is their most versatile professional Windows 8.1 Pro tablet yet, and coupled with its unique base, it makes a pretty strong case for its design. But at $499 MSRP without the base, is it worth the investment?

Android at last? The Nokia X marks Microsoft Mobile's entry into the Android market. What looks like a turnaround, is not really one at all: with the inexpensive entry-level smartphone, a reworked interface, and a special App Store, Microsoft is trying to lure customers and get them transitioned to the Windows Phone platform. Why the concept is not completely successful is the subject of our review.

Hardware giant. The outburst of the community was big when Ubisoft announced the official system requirements for Watch Dogs. The open-world title not only requires a potent graphics chip but also a very fast processor. We have tested several notebooks and desktops with various settings.

Old school. Wolfenstein: The New Order is not only interesting from a gaming point of view but also from a technical one. Id Software's graphics engine Tech 5, which was introduced in 2011 with the first-person shooter Rage, still struggles with one or two problems. Our review takes a look at the (mobile) hardware demands.

A Motley of Colors. Once again, we find an MSI GE60 gaming notebook on our table with advanced hardware and an interesting design. A faster i7 processor and backlit keyboard make the laptop quite attractive at first glance, but can it deliver what it promises?

The Big Screen Theory. This is how Huawei advertises the new Ascend G730, a dual-SIM phablet with a gigantic 5.5-inch touchscreen priced at around 300 Euros (~$410). The rest of the device's components do not exactly sweep us off our feet, but could it still be a good buy?

Double pack. Just recently we tested the 6-inch model Slate 6 VoiceTab, now the 7-incher HP Slate 7 6100en VoiceTab has arrived at our test laboratory. The Marvell quad-core SoC clocks slightly higher, and the IPS display has a marginally higher resolution of 800x1280 pixels. The performance is, nevertheless, not much better.

Netbook revisited The Lenovo Ideapad Flex 10 is a small, light, low-cost mini-notebook using the latest Baytrail-M entry-level PC platform. A touchscreen is included, USB3.0 too. Can the Flex 10 convince us that this new take on the netbook is going to be successful?

Z3 on the rack. Acer has refreshed its entry-level devices and placed a dual-SIM, four-inch smartphone between its Z3 Duo and Z5. Their specs are very similar. The most interesting innovation is surely the Custom Profiles, which make the smartphone easier for newcomers to use.

More Flop than Flip. Sony's unique take on the convertible concept has produced a very nice-looking series of Flip notebooks to compete in the notebook-tablet hybrid space. The Flip 14 is eye candy for sure, but there is more than meets the eye.. and it's not all pretty.

Change of platforms. Acer now banishes Temash from the small subnotebook and relies on an Intel processor instead. The good-looking casing and IPS screen have been preserved. Our report uncovers whether the laptop benefits from its new CPU platform.

Two-in-one. HP introduces an affordable phablet with 3G, dual-SIM feature, and a budget SoC from Marvell dubbed Slate 6 6000en VoiceTab. Despite its low price of 199 Euros (~$271), there was still room for a bright 6-inch IPS screen. However, its performance is not as convincing.

Gaming tank. Big, heavy and a case full of fast hardware describes the new Alienware 17. Especially hardcore gamers will be interested in the GeForce GTX 880M, which is one of the fastest single-chip GPUs. But can the overall package support the good initial impression?

Trail Miix. Lenovo completely revamps last year's Miix 10 and outfits the new tablet, aptly named Miix 2 10, with a Bay Trail Atom processor, a high-res 1920 x 1200 display, and a magnetic keyboard dock for a seamless conversion to a subnotebook PC. How the Windows 8.1 tablet handles various daily duties is the subject of our review.

Fat office worker. Solid computing power, user-friendly maintenance options, and a good keyboard is what Lenovo's G510 offers for 500 Euros (~$681), and only 440 Euros (~$599) is due without a Windows operating system. Our report reveals whether Lenovo has added a decent device to its product line.

Boxy, menacing, fast. Asus launches a new gaming laptop featuring the overclocked premium GPU in its "Republic of Gamers" product line. High expectations are set when holding a laptop from this range. It is with good reason that Asus calls it Elite Series.

In a mini-frenzy. The smaller version of the giant high-end smartphone finally fits in anyone's pocket and houses many of the same hardware components as the larger flagship model. But the LG G2 Mini can't fill its big brother's shoes.

Pocket Idol. The One Touch Idol X+ is Alcatel's newest flagship model. Those looking for LTE, a super-fast CPU and expandable storage will be disappointed. Still, we are quite fond of this 5-inch device. Read on to find out why.

The second generation. That was fast. We just reviewed the Sony Xperia Z1 seven months ago – and we already have the successor in our editorial office: the Xperia Z2. Why an update for users of the predecessor does not make much sense, and why Sony still offers a great smartphone, is revealed in our review.

Play longer! The graphics card manufacturer Nvidia equips its entire GTX 800M series with this energy-saving option, which is supposed to allow longer gaming in battery mode. Find out in our test how the technology works and if the promised doubling in runtime is actually possible.

Beautiful design, low performance. Thanks to its 360-degree hinges, the HP Pavilion x360 can function as a laptop or a tablet -- in other words, a convertible PC. That sounds very practical, but in our tests we encountered several weaknesses.

Dragon Blood. Although the GE70 does not sport the strongest gaming graphics card, the 17-inch device supplies more than attractive performance. Unlike other laptop experts, MSI uses a GDDR5 rather than a DDR3 VRAM for the GTX 850M model. Our report shows just how big the performance difference is in practical use.

Slim phone. The configuration of the 5-inch dual-SIM smartphone by Zopo places it in the mid-range. It features a cutting edge octa-core processor in addition to an HD screen. Nevertheless, its price is below 200 Euros (~$273), and thus it is in the entry-level sector. The smaller drawbacks are found in details, but the phone might be an interesting alternative anyway.

Expensive = good? Buyers prepared to invest around 1500 Euros (~$2054) in a premium ultrabook will now find another alternative to Apple & co. in the new Toshiba Kira-101. We will reveal why it is not class best despite a speedy Core i7 processor, magnesium casing, and WQHD screen.

Reliable companion. Keyboard with large travel, firm pressure point, large touchpad, fast keys and Shockshield hard drive protection. Did a manufacturer recognize what a business notebook is really about?

Haswell bargain. The search for a quiet, efficient and inexpensive home office notebook with decent battery life is over. The Packard Bell Easynote TE69HW-29574G50Mnsk, which sells for 299 Euro ($410), fits the bill exactly. An added bonus: the system is equipped with a Haswell Celeron CPU instead of a weaker Bay Trail processor.

Underdog. Mobile workstations do not always have to come from established manufacturers. MSI now offers solutions in this sector in the second generation, and its 17-inch GT70 catches attention with a high-performance configuration. We extensively tested whether that suffices for a permanent place in the professional field.

Gigantic ultrabook. The Asus P750LB relies on power- and space-efficient ultrabook components. How well will this concept work out when combined with an extraordinarily large 17.3-inch display? Can it compete against its competitors that rely on standard, higher-powered Intel chips?

More light! Nokia's first and last tablet with Windows RT 8.1 has an incredibly bright display, a fast processor and the ability to access the Internet via LTE -- but it also has some unusual weaknesses. The software and camera are no more than average, and the manufacturing quality is not exactly up to par either. We expected more from a company who was once a mobile communications pioneer.

Lookalike. Asus introduces a new 14-inch laptop with a touchscreen, upper-range configuration, and stylish looks dubbed VivoBook S451LB-CA072H. The bundle made a good impression in the test, though we expected more from the screen and storage device.

Juggernaut. The GeForce GTX 880M, still based on Kepler, is currently the fastest available laptop GPU. It rouses the highest expectations of gaming performance in conjunction with the i7 quad-core. We will reveal this much: Asus' latest ROG goes through the benchmarks like a hot knife through butter. Can its noise and temperature management control the brute power?

Studious. Commonplace plastic barebones, hard-rubber bezel, and the most basic technology. But a battery runtime of 14 hours and more! Who would buy such a laptop for a not exactly bargain price? Perhaps universities or colleges will be interested?

Couch surfer. Asus demands 370 Euros (~$507) for its little 11.6-inch F200MA-CT067H netbook. An energy-efficient processor allows for good battery runtimes and quiet operation. Thus, the computer looks good as a browsing machine in the living room. Our report uncovers the netbook's other talents.

Fast tablet. It is the thinnest and lightest tablet of its class, yet there is no apple on the case. There is also no aluminum case, only plastic. A high-resolution display, a fast Snapdragon 801 and the familiar IP-certification complete the package. Our review shows why it is still not enough for the top spot.

Maintenance-friendly all-rounder. The Terra Mobile 1548 is Wortmann's promising attempt to challenge the all-purpose notebooks of the big manufacturers. In addition to a very bright Full HD display and a GPU that is fit for games, the computer offers a lot of memory space. A treat: The computer can be fitted with a 3G module.

Frugal. The F551MA does not bring much processing performance. But, it scores with low power consumption and low emissions. Is this sufficient to stand against the competition in the lowest price segment?

Notebook for students. The ThinkPad Edge E145 delivers long battery runtimes and excellent input devices. This makes it ideal for those users who have to do desk work outside of offices and homes. We will scrutinize the computer in our review.

Space...the Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Notebookcheck as she continues her mission to explore the (Samsung) Galaxy S5. The crew is hoping for a result that is out of this world - and although the scores fall slightly short of expectations, the S5 nonetheless earns the smartphone-crown.

Co-worker. Practical, enduring, reliable, and down to earth. Who does not want such a colleague? Our report reveals whether Dell's new 14-inch laptop adorns itself with these qualities.

Game mode: Domination. Following the release of Nvidia's 800-series, MSI revamps its gaming laptop line. While not much has changed in terms of external appearance, the performance levels have been improved considerably. Still, the main selling point of the Dominator will surely be its 3K display.

The Atom Renaissance. Windows RT is history – the new entry-level version of the Yoga-series uses Intel's Bay Trail and a full version of Windows 8.1 64-bit. More usage scenarios and more performance also result in a significant drop of the battery runtimes.

Price war. HP demands just 400 Euros (~$550) for the well-configured, gaming-capable Compaq 15-a024sg. Weaknesses cannot be excluded in view of the price, and thus, not only the battery runtimes are below average...

Black budget book. The mass producer Acer packs a current Pentium quad-core in one of its tried but also boring standard casings, and it demands prices starting as low as 350 Euros (~$483). Will saving here prove to be an agony, or is the speed and ergonomics enough for everyday tasks?

Moonlighter. The new generation of Dell's office workhorse, the Latitude E5540, is clad in a black, 15.6-inch suit and with a power-efficient Intel Core i5 processor. Is it a must for the office?

A real head-turner. Fujitsu puts a new convertible on the market that woos deep-pocketed business customers with a ULV Core i7, QHD touchscreen, security features and LTE support. How does the rotating joint concept do compared to other business devices? Can its connectivity options and ergonomics stand up to the demands of professionals? Our review tells it all.

Dual-SIM Galaxy. A 4-inch smartphone featuring two SIM card slots for an official budget price of 159 Euros (~$221): Curtain up for Samsung's Galaxy S Duos 2 GT-S7582. As the report reveals, the smartphone also gives a convincing practical performance.

Barefoot. Ahead of the competition with Barefoot 3 M10? This mass storage device brings strong benchmark results and an attractive capacity for a cheap price.

All-inclusive. Asus continuously refreshes its Transformer Pad series. The new Transformer Pad TF701T is a high-resolution 10-inch tablet that is supposed to compete with notebooks. It is equipped with a powerful Tegra 4 SoC clocked at 1.9 GHz, 32 GB flash storage and an IPS display, so the review unit might also be interesting for business customers.

Non-touchscreen multimedia. The Asus X550LB is a 15.6-inch gaming-capable notebook designed for everyday multitasking. A Haswell-generation CPU and GeForce GPU are paired up with a non-touch, standard HD-resolution display. How well the combo works is the subject of our review.

A confusing name. Ascend G610 is the name of Huawei's latest dual-SIM entry-level smartphone. The designation does not give any hint at the size or the generation, so what is the G610? A conveniently normal 5-inch smartphone.

Quad-core snail. The One Touch Easy Alcatel was a bestseller - 15 years ago. Meanwhile a lot has happened. The successor comes with a quad-core SoC and a 5-inch display and will stir up the entry-level segment. It is very unlikely that it is able achieve the same sales figures though.

Gigantic little Y. Huawei's Y product line is aimed at price-conscious smartphone newbies. The Ascend Y530 is no exception. The Chinese manufacturer bundles a rounded package for 149 Euros (~$206) and keeps a simplified usage in mind - and the 4.5-inch Y is available for less online.

Growling Dragon. MSI refreshes its GT70 series by adding on the new Nvidia GeForce GTX 880M. The graphics card works together with a quad-core CPU from Intel to deliver monstrous performance. The cooling is excellent and even offers the user the option to overclock the hardware. However, as is to be expected, this "dragon" is very loud. Find out more in our in-depth review.

Quantity or quality? Compared to the ever-slimmer competition the massive Dell Inspiron 15R appears as a cumbersome underdog, however with good equipment at a small price. Special highlight: The fast Radeon HD 8850M with GDDR5 memory.

Aluminum-clad twin. Acer's affordable all-round device of the Aspire E1 product line (e.g. E1-572G) convinced us with its good performance-for-money ratio. Now we have the aluminum-reinforced V5-561G model on our desk. It stands out with a bright Full HD screen and a gaming-suitable GPU from AMD.

Business by Schenker. Schenker classifies the B713 as a work device for both the professional environment and private use. The matte screen, strong Core i5 processor, Trusted Platform Module, and maintenance-friendly options make the laptop seem interesting. Our report reveals whether it is just as convincing in real-life use.

Temptation in red. From the technological point of view, the R510CA offers nothing more than your standard features. Noteworthy are the touchscreen and large hard drive. But the computer's big attraction is its red attire.

One for the road. It is once again time for new high-end smartphones and we start with the review of the HTC One M8 with the brand-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC. We could read many things before the launch: Sturdy unibody chassis, low-resolution Duo camera, cheating during benchmarks. Read the whole truth in our in-depth review.

Entry-level business. Asus puts not one but two operating systems (Windows 7 Pro (64-bit) + Windows 8 Pro (64-bit)) in the P550CA-XO522G's box. Dedicated Windows 7 fans can use the laptop right away. Windows 8 first has to be installed via the included recovery DVD.

"Design-Smartphone" – that's what the South Korean manufacturer LG calls it. But the question is why, since the smartphone looks like any other smartphone at first. The rival Moto G is also powered by the Snapdragon 400 and has a 4.7-inch screen. So what is the L90 capable of?

Business luxury. Our latest Folio 1040 G1 review unit arrived with a 1080p IPS display panel and an upgraded CPU—not to mention a bevy of preloaded security software to make corporate IT life easier. Is this business as usual, or was it worth the wait?

A Shield to marvel at. This isn't Captain America's shield and unfortunately not made of Vibranium either, but we'd be damned if it isn't the best Android-based gaming platform currently in the market.

Light, slim, (more) affordable. Samsung's ATIV Book 9 Plus established itself as a high-end contender in the Ultrabook category. Equipped with identical hardware, but without the "Plus" in the name and sans the reflective QHD+ display, the cheaper ATIV Book 9 retails for about 350 Euro (~$480) less.

Quiet worker. A conservative Intel Core i7, a dedicated graphics card from Nvidia and a fast SSD ensure great system performance. The manufacturer promises and delivers long battery life, despite all these powerful components. Find out more about this model in our in-depth review.

Between gaming and multimedia. The M731 from Nexoc combines the advantages of an all-rounder and a high-end notebook. While the 17-inch chassis is still comparatively portable and not too bulky, the components offer a decent performance that is even sufficient for current games.

Windows for the back pocket. Windows 8 is gaining ground, particularly in the tablet segment. Although Android still clearly dominates the mass market, many manufacturers offer smaller 8-inch tablets with a full Windows install and thus x86 program-compatibility. With success?

Typing machine with gaming aspirations. The Acer TravelMate P255-MG is first of all a notebook for office use. Interestingly, the device is also outfitted with an AMD graphics solution that is usually strong enough even for more demanding games. Our review reveals more.

Enhanced transformation. We reviewed a Lenovo ThinkPad W540 model with rather weak hardware a few weeks ago. The second test model delivers many things we wished for. The impact of these differences will be illustrated in this review.

Haswell meets Maxwell. Asus offers a multimedia all-rounder for around 700 Euros (~$966) with the X750LN-TY012H. Thanks to the new GeForce 840M GPU, the notebook should be suited for gaming. Nvidia advertises a performance improvement of up to 35 percent compared to the predecessor – the GeForce GT 740M.

Slowed down. Besides the Core i7 processor and the improved memory equipment, it is the dedicated Radeon HD 8750M in particular that is supposed to justify the considerable price of the top version from the EliteBook 850-series. But can the thin chassis actually handle the additional heat?

Mainstream challenger. When thinking about gaming suitable laptops in a price range of 600 Euros (~$829), there is barely getting around Nvidia's mid-range GeForce GT 740M. AMD's new Radeon R7 M265 with a 128-bit memory interface opposes it now. And in fact, the review sample not only keeps pace in gaming but also proves to be quite competitive in other areas.

14-inch business. The ProBook 645 is a 14-inch business laptop. Besides a matte screen, swift hard drive and good input devices, the laptop features classic business qualities like a docking port and a SmartCard reader. The laptop can also be furnished with an LTE modem.

Sharp and matte. The version of the Lifebook U904 with a matte WQHD+ display and without a touchscreen has now found its way into our list of candidates for review. Does the anti-reflective surface do its job well? How does the notebook fare compared to its competitors? Read our review to find out.

Big, bigger, TESO. As one of the last publishers to do so, Bethesda Softworks tries an MMORPG by subscription. The Elder Scrolls Online (TESO) is intended to piggyback off of the success of competitors in its genre, like Guild Wars 2 and World of WarCraft. You will encounter hardly any new technological advances, but the title scores points for its visually appealing and interesting world. Our article primarily deals with the new game's hardware demands.

Evergreen. Only a few notebooks have such a long history as the ThinkPad T-series. Lenovo follows the current trend with the latest 14-inch version and focuses on mobility in particular. There are also new components and input devices. Read our review to find out what you can expect from the work tool.

Alternative? Not really. The highlight of the Flex 14 is surely its 300-degree swivel screen alongside the related multimedia and presentation options. Lenovo now expands this product line with a weak AMD APU from the E-series. Why this concept does not work can be read here.

The golden mean? The HP EliteBook 840 G1 wants to beat the business rivals from Lenovo and Dell. Thanks to an extensive diet, the 14-inch device is thinner than ever, but you do not have to waive a fast Core i7 processor, sufficient memory and comprehensive features.

The unequal duel. Nvidia offers two different versions of its latest high-end GPU GeForce GTX 860M. Besides a version based on the Maxwell architecture, there is also a GPU from the old Kepler generation. We compared the performance of the two DirectX 11 chips and found a winner.

Pocket Windows II. Acer launched an 8-inch Windows tablet based on the Clovertrail platform just a little under a year ago. Now its successor is beginning to take shape with the Bay Trail SoC. Does it add power to the pocket?

AMD business. HP asks for about 750 Euros (~$1030) for their ProBook 655 business notebook. For that price, the buyer gets an office device with an AMD APU, a matte display and a quick hard drive. Additionally, the computer is pre-equipped for the installation of an LTE modem and offers easy access to its inner workings for maintenance. But does the notebook do well in practice? Read our review to find out.