Reviews

Bread-and-Butter. A decent-looking 15.6-inch touchscreen notebook with basic hardware and good battery life courtesy of a frugal quad-core SoC - this is how one could sum up the Aspire E1-510P-2671. How the notebook fares as a daily companion is the subject of our review.

17.3-inch netbook. Packard Bell equips the EasyNote with a energy-saving APU that was originally intended for use in mobile and thin subnotebooks/ultrabooks. Theoretically, the customer should receive a 17.3-inch office notebook that works as quiet as a whisper and needs very little energy. But is that really the case? Read our review to find out.

Diet. Samsung offers light versions of its smartphone models under the product name Neo. The Galaxy Note 3 Neo is a slimmed down version of its big brother. The manufacturer has made cutbacks in many areas of the device, and only the wireless communication options and the typical Note S Pen remain untouched. Find out what limitations have to be accepted here.

Appearances are deceiving. You could think that the M504 is just an usual office notebook when you look at the case. But you couldn't be more wrong: Underneath the IPS display are many powerful components. Main attraction is Nvidia's price-performance miracle GeForce GTX 850M.

A cheap premium laptop? Asus adds a cheap 13-inch Ultrabook to their collection. The laptop contains a Haswell processor and its case has stayed similar to that of the predecessor. It includes a touchscreen as well. How good an Ultrabook can we get for such a low price?

Ruggedized. ADATA offers a robust external USB 3.0 HDD with the HD650. It can convince us with a quiet operating noise, decent transfer rates and a robust construction.

Old-school ThinkPad? Performance, security and office qualities are very important aspects of the new Lenovo ThinkPad T540p. Our review shows what the top version with a quad-core CPU, 250 GB SSD and integrated UMTS module for around 1,800 Euros (~$2482) is capable of.

Austerity package. Samsung introduces its new and affordable ATIV Book 8 featuring the latest Haswell CPU and an Nvidia graphics card. Instead of a glossy touchscreen, Samsung now relies on a matte and bright display. Are those the only differences? We took a closer look.

Potent rivals. The next round in the fight between the two graphic cards manufacturers, Nvidia and AMD, has begun. After the GeForce GTX 880M showed its capabilities, we now look at the also very powerful GTX 870M in this article. Can the high-end model excel the Radeon R9 M290X?

Race for the summit. Although Nvidia's new premium model is still based on the Kepler architecture, no other laptop GPU currently comes close to the GeForce GTX 880M. The "green giant" demands a corresponding price for the high-end chip. After Alienware, MSI, and Asus, Schenker Technologies is one of the first companies to offer the luxury model. Clear the stage for the XMG P704...

Affordable mid-range. Acer's Liquid Z5 jumps on the bandwagon of 5-inch smartphones and catches attention at first glance with a price of 170 Euros (~$234). But what does it have to offer?

Workhorse. Lenovo updated its devices with the latest hardware but did not change the concept of the cheap Edge series. The company offers many different models and our review will reveal whether the surcharge for the top model is justified.

Icon or illusion? The 7-inch Iconia B1-721 is Acer's new contribution to the tablet market's 200 Euros (~$275) price class. Its driving force is a 1.3 GHz MediaTek MT8312 alongside an integrated Mali MP400 graphics chip. 1 GB of DDR3 RAM, 16 GB of flash storage and 3G wireless complete the package. But the display only offers 1024x600 pixels. Is that still enough for the tablet to hold its own in the entry-level class?

Old chassis, new technologies. Buyers looking for a speedy gaming laptop that does not excessively burden their wallet might find something at Schenker Technologies. The base configuration of the XMG A504 with a GeForce GTX 860M "only" costs 949 Euros (~$1305). We sent a somewhat lusher version through our benchmark tests to answer pressing performance questions.

Luxury for the executive level. Ultrabooks are normally designed for home users – but that's not always the case. Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Carbon, for example, targets affluent business customers who are willing to spend almost 2000 Euro (~$2800) for the top-of-the-line version. If this amount is money well spent is the subject of our review.

Minimal. With the HP 255, HP focuses on private and professional users looking for the cheapest possible work tool. A price of significantly below 400 Euros (~$549) is definitely "cheap." Our review reveals whether the notebook is also convincing.

Slim, fast, perfect? HP slimmed down its 14-inch mobile workstation this year and focused on frugal components. We tested if the device can meet the high performance requirements of the customers.

Towering heights. Someone who offers a 2000 Euro (~$2749) ultrabook is aiming at especially demanding customers. Thus, we ask ourselves why a TN screen is installed in an otherwise very elegant device with some notable cutbacks. Will the review sample nevertheless manage to stand up against the competitor's flagships, and to score in the targeted business range?

Slim, fast and gaming-ready. In 2011, Acer introduced the Aspire S3-951, the first ever Ultrabook. After three years, we are delighted to meet the successor, the Aspire S3-392G. A strong Haswell CPU, a gaming-ready GPU and a lot of memory is packed into this small, compact computer. Our review will reveal what this 13.3-inch machine is capable of.

Big surfer. First we reviewed the Wi-Fi version of the Galaxy Note Pro 12.2, now we ran the LTE model through our battery of tests. Read our review update to learn the similarities and differences between the two devices.

Something new? The Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S is an old acquaintance. It is now available with current Haswell processors. So, it is time to quickly check what changed.

Improved. Lenovo redesigns its entry-level ThinkPad and equips the business notebook with a new case as well as a processor from Intel's current Haswell generation. Despite the price well below 1,000 Euros (~$1383), the device is supposed to keep up the ThinkPad impression and also meet the related requirements. Our review shows if it was a success.

Small and powerful. Small and/or thin gaming notebooks have become increasingly popular amongst notebook users. Besides the Alienware 14, Razer Blade 14, MSI GE40 and Gigabyte P34G, the Schenker XMG P304 targets the same customers. A strong argument for the 13-inch device is Nvidia's brand-new GeForce GTX 860M.

A little fun on the side. Violent multiplayer battles with parkour interludes and mechs armed to the teeth? That is how the former Call of Duty developers envision the future of the action genre. We took a closer look at the graphics demands; so read on to find out which graphics card you will need.

Predictably great. Dell’s 2014 refresh of its critically-acclaimed XPS 13 brings with it a conservative selection of evolutionary enhancements, not least of which is the option of an included touchscreen. But can it still stand with the latest and greatest ultraportables?

Repeater. With the Radeon R9 M290X, AMD competes with old technology. Learn in our review whether the deluxe model can keep up with high-end products from Nvidia. Is AMD still competitive or have they already been pushed aside?

Spoiled for choice. The latest edition of the 10.1-inch tablet from the Galaxy line is available in two SoC versions. The LTE version sports the Snapdragon 800, and the in-house octa-core is installed in the Wi-Fi-only version. We tested how both devices fare in the following report.

USB 3.0 SSD. SSDs are especially appropriate as robust and fast external media. With the SE720, ADATA offers an external 128 GB SSD with an elegant metal chassis. The following article will reveal how well the device performed in our review.

Stagnation. While Nvidia at least manages a small performance leap with its GeForce GTX 880M, AMD is going around in circles with its Radeon R9 M290X. However, this does not stop many laptop companies from selling the "new" GPU. The Guru Earth V sports two AMD chips that operate in Crossfire mode. Is the existence of this GPU array justified?

Lightning-fast with Thunderbolt. We've seen generic USB docks before, almost all of which underperform when it comes to bugs or performance when bandwidth demands become too high. Will this $219 StarTech Thunderbolt solution finally give us the perfect dock for everyday use?

Small laptop big in business. The HP EliteBook 820 G1 wants to reel in well-heeled business customers with high portability and business qualities. A Core i7 processor, SSD and mobile wireless modem drive up the price of the 12-inch laptop to far beyond 1500 Euros (~$2090) - too steep or is what it has to offer appropriate? Test Update: 07/2014: Optional HD IPS screen and Intel i7 4510U CPU.

For grandpa. Not interested in Windows? Chrome OS is the alternative offered on this laptop. No complicated hardware settings; just open it up and start surfing. Does Toshiba do a good job with this non-Windows concept?

No news. The ThinkPad Edge E545 wants to be a device for private and business use. Apart from a big storage capacity, the notebook features a matte display, an AMD quad-core processor, and a good keyboard. These are all signs of an attractive device for work. Our review will reveal whether the device really is a well-made notebook.

ThinkPad Differently. The avalanche of new Windows 8.1 tablets continues, offering plenty of choices for those so inclined. Lenovo’s professional ThinkPad 8 bumps the resolution to near-Retina-grade levels and boasts a powerful configuration for a tablet. But can it find a spot in the corporate workplace?

Big player. 12.2-inch screen, octa-core, touchscreen with stylus support - Samsung's Note Pro 12.2 catches attention when just hearing the specs. We looked at the Wi-Fi version and will reveal whether the expectations are met.

Inexpensive all-around laptop. With the Pavilion 15-n213eg, HP offers a gaming capable 15.6-inch notebook. The buyer will not only get powerful hardware, but also a big storage capacity and 8 GB of RAM for 600 Euros (~$832). Our review will reveal whether the notebook can deliver in practice what it promises in theory.

Courage to change. The bulky EliteBooks from the past are gone – HP's business-series now primarily uses thin cases and efficient ULV hardware. We review the entry-level configuration of the new EliteBook 850 G1 for around 1,000 Euros (~$1387).

A fresh phablet. Pursuing the Lumia 1520, Nokia sends another 6-inch phablet featuring HD resolution and Windows Phone 8 into the race, called the Lumia 1320. Its power and configuration are no match for the premium model, but it is nevertheless a strong smartphone.

Treading quietly. The underrepresented stealth-adventure genre gets a fresh wind with the new Thief game. This article will not cover whether the series-reboot attains to the quality of its predecessor. Instead, we will investigate how much performance the title demands of a variety of hardware components. Will owners of weaker notebooks be able to enjoy this game?

Last hurrah. Sony launches a convertible dubbed Vaio Fit 11A multi-flip on the market. It provides innumerable configurations for home use, and is likely one of the last devices that the manufacturer brings to the international market. Will Sony leave with a blast?

Black, silent laptop. Another new office notebook in the hotly contested price segment around 400 Euros (~$555). Did HP manage to break the monotony and give its entry-level model a special touch or did we have to deal with the usual standard fare?

Transformation. Lenovo completely redesigns its mobile workstations from the ThinkPad W-series and introduces some fundamental changes in this category. Does the device really meet the high expectations of the loyal customers?

All-round laptop. The Pavilion wants to be a gaming capable all-round notebook for the small budget. The 17.3-incher with Core i5 processor and Radeon GPU costs about 650 Euros (~$892). Our review reveals whether you will get a decent device for this price.

Grab bag. A thin 17-inch chassis with a dual GPU solution: This is how the Taiwanese manufacturer imagines the perfect gaming notebook. We have a closer look at the exciting concept. Does the unusual hardware combination reveal any drawbacks?

Chrome is in. Despite its limited scope and continuing overlap with tablets and smartphones, the Chromebook is looking to stay and stand its ground. We take a closer look at the 11.6-inch Samsung Series 3 Chromebook equipped with the same processor as the Nexus 10. Can you go wrong with a $250 laptop?

Typewriter with hardware weakness. The Acer TravelMate P255-M improves upon its predecessor TravelMate P253-M in several areas. A comfortable keyboard, a ULV Core i5 CPU, and an appealing design raise the expectations. In what key areas the P255-M is a solid notebook and where it loses some ground is the subject of our review.

Color master. The HP ZBook 15 mobile workstation is available in a variety of configurations. The first version we reviewed already proved itself in our battery of tests. Now we turn our sights to a configuration with a high-intensity DreamColor display and a speedy Nvidia Quadro K2100M graphics card. What can you expect from this combination? Read our update to find out.

Make new from old - it is possible with external graphics cards. Once a laptop gets old, you can upgrade RAM and sometimes even the CPU, but it is only rarely possible to replace the graphics card.

Quiet and frugal. HP only charges around 260 Euros (~$358) for the Compaq 15-h024sg. For this price you get a simple 15.6-inch notebook with a frugal AMD APU and a 500 GB hard drive. The Windows operating system is not provided. Our review shows if the notebook can still convince us despite the low price.

Unique and suave. It will likely be the last smartphone that Motorola makes under Google's authority. The Moto X offers a few extraordinary features and rather conservative looks. Can Motorola score with it a last time?

Flexible. Lenovo tries to make using a touchscreen easier for the users of the IdeaPad Flex 15D with an opening angle of up to 300 degrees. We indeed liked this solution. Our test uncovers whether the device is also convincing beyond this feature.

Redundant successor? Samsung launched an entry-level tablet on the market that did not really convince us in several fields with its Galaxy Tab 3 7.0. Now, 7 months later, we have our hands on the Lite version - is it a sensible diet or simply nip/tuck madness?

Ultimate rush. Which tech specs does the technically savvy user find most compelling? A beefy CPU, lightning-fast SSD, and a potent graphics card propel an Ultrabook to the top of the "must-have" list. Does the Zenbook UX302 score a "Very Good" this time around?

More business. Solid office companions are very popular, despite the tablet and ultrabook boom. Can the ProBook 640 continue the tradition of sturdy and efficient business devices?

Haswell update. The combination of a high-performance Core i7 quad-core processor, matte screen, and Windows 7/8 Professional already indicates that the ProBook 450 G1 wants to be a work machine. HP aims at both professional and private users at the same time. However, the company demands just under 800 Euros (~$1099) for the laptop. Our test report reveals whether the device is worth the money.

Slimming mania. The review sample's big brother completely convinced us in the editorial office. Users who were looking forward to a comparable version with a dual-SIM feature will, however, be disappointed. The South Korean manufacturer has slimmed down the tech specs to such an extent that neither smartphone has much in common apart from the screen size and name.

Understatement with security. Reliability and security are probably the two most important things for business users. This should also apply for their notebooks, and Dell's Latitude series earned a good reputation. The Dell Latitude E6440 wants to continue this tradition – our review shows the strengths and weaknesses of the new model.

Quick convertible. Sony has come up with an innovative construction that allows converting a laptop into a tablet quickly. Besides the review sample's unusually high resolution of 2880x1620 pixels, particularly its size of 15.5 inches stands out, as that is actually incompatible with its use as a portable tablet.

Curved thing. The display of LG's first smartphone with a curved screen is certainly an eye-catcher, but just this key feature turns out to be the problem. The other features are on one level with the high-end competition: A fast Snapdragon 800, 32 GB storage and an Ultra HD camera as well as the self-healing case create an interesting package nonetheless.

Constant performance. OCZ promises the Vector 150 is a Solid State Drive whose performance remains high even after intensive use. We tested a 120 GB and a 240 GB model to see how well this works.

Now featuring Haswell. HP's ProBook 470 is an office laptop for both the private and professional field. Its price range of approx. 700 Euros (~$959) and the installed hardware also make the device interesting for users who want to replace their desktop PC at home with a 17.3-inch laptop. Our test report reveals whether the laptop is convincing.

Experiment.. The 2013 edition of the X1 Carbon came pretty close to a rating of "very good". Still, Lenovo has not stopped improving its premium ultrabook series, adding a WQHD IPS panel to the 13-inch device while also improving its battery life and implementing new input devices / ports. Is this enough to eradicate the few remaining issues?

Good, but overpriced. The Travelmate P455-M is aimed at business professionals and as such equipped with TPM, a fingerprint scanner, and security software. A ULV Core i5 processor powers the notebook. How does the system, which sells for a fairly steep 840 Euro (~$1150), handle the daily workload?

Muscle tablet. The 8-inch HP Slate 8 Pro comes with a powerful Nvidia Tegra 4 quad-core SoC, but this is far from being its only virtue. As our review will show, HP's Android tablet remains competitive in many other areas as well.

Serious. After Microsoft more or less abandoned the flight simulator market following the release of their Flight Simulator X, Laminar Research has the only viable and constantly updated alternative with their X-Plane Flight Simulator. Our review will focus on the hardware requirements and show which notebooks and desktops handle the simulator smoothly.

Turning big into small. Already the name makes its obvious: The Z1 Compact is the handier version of Sony's Xperia Z1 flagship. These "Mini" editions are presently quite common, but the Z1 is an exception because most of the hardware is the same as used in the larger version.

Improved by Haswell. A notebook that you carry around all the time should be as light as possible, but also sturdy and enduring at the same time. Lenovo tries to meet these requirements with the ultrabooks of the ThinkPad S-series. We review the ThinkPad S540, the current 15.6-inch model from the series. The biggest improvement: The S540 models are equipped with Haswell processors.

More displays. The Yotaphone has been in the headlines for a while now, because it has one unique feature. Turn the smartphone around and you can see a second display, a so-called E-Ink display. Our review shows how the Russian company "Yota Devices" solved this design challenge.

Superb display. Acer's Aspire E1-772G is an inexpensive 17.3-inch multi-purpose notebook which ships without a Windows OS and sells for just under 600 Euros (~$800). It comes with a matte Full HD display, a Haswell Core i5 processor, plenty of storage, and is suitable for gaming as well. At least on paper, the notebook looks like a compelling package. How the E1-772G fares during everyday operation is the subject of our review.

Enduring and quiet. The Satellite C50-A-1JU is a basic office laptop based on a Bay Trail Pentium. The laptop for around 400 Euros (~$545) promises long battery runtimes, and good emission rates owing to the energy-efficient quad-core processor. Our test report reveals whether this is achieved in practical use.

Brilliant white. Toshiba clads the Satellite C75-A-13A in innocent white. Technically, it does not at all look bad with a Haswell Core i5, 8 GB of RAM, and a 1 TB hard drive. The laptop is available for approximately 700 Euros (~$951). Our test report shows whether it is worth its price.

Newcomer. Toshiba gets into the market of mobile workstations and offers a very well-equipped device with the Tecra W50-A-104. Does the well-known competition need to be afraid? We will find out in our review.

Quad-core couch potato. There are plenty of touch notebooks but cheap models available for less than 450 Euros (~$612) and in a flat, 14-inch format are quite rare. Lenovo launches its new S415 touch notebook and the question on our mind is: Is it more powerful and mobile than the slow S405?

Contingency plan. Business notebooks don't have to be expensive, as we've seen in the past. Fujitsu tries to gain a foothold in the lower price bracket with the Lifebook A544. How successful is the new notebook?

A must-have. The T440s is currently one of the most sought-after products on the mobile business market. But with so many versions available, it is not exactly easy for a buyer to figure out which model is best suited to his or her individual needs. To follow-up on our review of the basic version, here we have written an update reviewing the top model, equipped with an Intel i7 CPU, FHD IPS display and a fat 9-cell battery.

Powered by AMD. The top version of the Inspiron 17R is equipped with the rare Radeon HD 8870M. How well does the DirectX 11 chip harmonize with a ULV processor and is the performance high-end or average? Our review gives the answers.

Quite the spectre! HP calls its premium ultrabooks "Spectre" - and equips its most recent flagship device with a high-resolution QHD IPS display. But is the difference between QHD and Full HD truly that noticeable? And what about its build quality, its design, its performance and its connectivity? In short: Is the premium ultrabook worth its premium price?

Hot? Fujitsu introduces its new flagship, and presents a classy-looking ultrabook alongside a docking station and an ultra-high-resolution touchscreen. The other features are also very promising. Is the U904 the perfect business laptop for on-the-go professional?

Ahead of the race. Sporting one of the newest Clevo shells, the Racer 3W succeeds the previous Racer 2.0 by including Haswell updates and one of the fastest mobile Quadro GPUs available. We test drive this racer of a notebook against other powerhouse DTRs.

Triple champion? Tablets with a keyboard dock are an old hat? Notebooks are prehistoric? Android tablets are cheap slowpokes? Asus combines these three categories, and the result is not outdated, archaic or boring.

Taken out of service. "The best price performance ratio for the price-conscious budget" – Lenovo's inexpensive office notebook is not focused on the design but the performance is very good in return.

Truly professional? The Dell Venue 11 Pro is a Windows tablet aimed at the business user. We take a look at the version with Core i3 processor to determine if it is indeed a suitable companion for the office.

Big brother. The Taiwanese manufacturer surpasses its S1 model with the latest Acer Liquid S2. The smartphone is equipped with a Full HD screen, a fast Snapdragon 800 processor and a 13 MP camera, which can even record UHD videos. This places it comfortably in the high-end category. The price for this hardware is high, as is to be expected.

Quiet and strong. Lenovo furnishes a 17.3 inch casing with a Haswell Core i5 processor and a GeForce GPU, and sells the bundle for just under 700 Euros. The installed components suggest a powerful, all-round laptop. Our test report reveals whether this is really true.

Workstation to go. Dell's Precision M3800 is an ultrabook-shaped mobile workstation, combining powerful components with a slim chassis. Our in-depth review will show whether this device is capable of delivering in all crucial fields, and not just in terms of looks.

Souped-up. MSI's CX61 multimedia notebook line gets an extensive upgrade. A Haswell CPU and current Nvidia graphics card bring the device up-to-date technologically. But did MSI put real work into fixing the predecessor's flaws, or did they simply switch out the hardware? Read our comprehensive review to find out.

Fade to gray. Lenovo's series E540 is designed for business users who are looking for an inexpensive and individually configurable 15.6-inch notebook. While certain mobility features take a back seat, the quality of the tried-and-true ThinkPad input devices is still a priority for Lenovo. The E540 is a pretty impressive notebook overall and its one obvious shortcoming seems almost unavoidable in this price class.

Premium gaming device. The Asus N56JR is no cheap machine. Shipping with an Haswell Core i7 CPU, a GeForce GTX 760M, a Full HD display, metal surfaces, a backlit keyboard and an external subwoofer this is one premium package at a premium price point of around 1100 Euros ($1504). Our review will reveal whether the laptop keeps its promises in real life, competing with the best of the best.

Enduring quad-core. Lenovo equips a small 11.6-inch laptop with an AMD quad-core processor, and demands less than 400 Euros (~$547) for the bundle. Our test report reveals whether Lenovo has created the perfect compromise of size, performance, and price.

XL-smartphone for a small price. The LG D605 Optimus L9 II impresses with its 4.7-inch HD display and combines two very appealing things: A lot of performance for a comparatively low price. We tested it.

Faster. Intel in the fast lane? We tested a third tablet with the quad-core Atom and are excited: fluid Windows performance and 5 hours battery life. Are there any disadvantages?

Rounded office laptop. The ProBook 455 is aimed at private users and small businesses. The buyer gets an AMD APU, matte screen, and Windows 7 Professional in a 15.6-inch laptop for approximately 450 Euros (~$610). Our test report reveals whether the laptop is convincing.

Lots of pixels, mediocre performance. You cannot decide whether to get a laptop or a tablet? Then a convertible such as the Dell XPS 11 might be the ideal compromise. Our review will show how this jack-of-all-trades with a Core i5 CPU, a QHD display and an SSD fares during actual usage.

The beautiful appearance is deceptive. With the Satellite M50D-A-10K, Toshiba offers a slim office computer with quad-core processor, 8 GB of RAM and 750 GB hard drive for about 500 Euros (~$677). Aluminum elements make the exterior of the device more beautiful. Our review reveals, whether the notebook performs well.

6 inches made in Finland. Big screen, Full HD resolution, a powerful Snapdragon 800, and a high-resolution camera. Nokia has finally arrived in the premium division, and presents its first phablet based on Windows Phone 8 called Lumia 1520. Read how it fares against the Android competition in our test report.

Smartphone genes. LG promises that you will find many features of the LG G2 in the G Pad 8.3. The smartphone got a "very good" in our review at that time. Now we want to know how well the tablet derivative does.

Big promises. Toshiba’s Encore WT8-A-102 is an exciting new Windows tablet with enough mobility and high-quality hardware to potentially threaten the current market leaders. But is it a success? We put the tablet through an extensive series of tests to find out.

For the (small) business. HP's ProBook 650 is a new mainstream business notebook. It is well equipped with a docking port, 5 USB 3.0 ports, a matte display as well as a Haswell processor and it is also interesting for private users with a retail price of 750 Euro (~$1025). We have a closer look a the ProBook 650 in our review.

Ultra-TravelMate. Acer updates their venerable TravelMate-series and adds a 14-inch business Ultrabook to the lineup. Is the 14-inch Haswell-equipped P645 with its dedicated Radeon graphics card and generously-sized SSD a compelling alternative to the established competition?

Well-designed AMD all-rounder. Acer demands approximately 500 Euros (~$683) for its slim Aspire V5-255G all-rounder. The list of equipment sounds promising: Quad-core processor, AMD dual-graphics, matte screen, aluminum components, backlit keyboard. Our test report reveals whether the Aspire convinces in everyday use.